Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Belvidere, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Belvidere, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,084 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,403 in Belvidere, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,637 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,458 in Belvidere, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,191 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,514 in Belvidere, IL, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 28% more than Belvidere, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Belvidere, IL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Belvidere, IL by 80%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.81 $20.81

$10.89 $10.89

91.09%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.6 $98.6

$47.03 $47.03

109.61%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.90 $11.90

$8.13 $8.13

46.37%

Cappuccino

$5.84 $5.84

$4.99 $4.99

17.03%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.07 $3.07

$1.23 $1.23

149.59%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$1.49 $1.49

57.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$4.51 $4.51

52.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.07 $8.07

$5.90 $5.90

36.78%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.86 $0.86

22.09%

White Bread (500g)

$3.98 $3.98

$1.34 $1.34

197.01%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.60 $5.60

$4.71 $4.71

18.90%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$2.96 $2.96

53.72%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.20 $14.20

$4.22 $4.22

236.49%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.90 $14.90

$11.01 $11.01

35.33%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.08 $19.08

$16.24 $16.24

17.49%

Apples (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$4.76 $4.76

11.55%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.21 $1.21

41.32%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$5.15 $5.15

-17.67%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$1.73 $1.73

152.60%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.55 $1.55

65.16%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$0.87 $0.87

221.84%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$0.98 $0.98

152.04%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.02 $2.02

33.66%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.95 $14.95

$5.91 $5.91

152.96%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$13.22 $13.22

11.42%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$2.27 $2.27

4.41%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$3.38 $3.38

5.62%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.44 $2.44

$2.02 $2.02

20.79%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.2 $75.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.41 $3.41

-1.76%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.60 $1.60

-14.37%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.29 $25.29

$45.14 $45.14

-43.97%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.65 $0.65

67.69%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$32.3K $32.3K

$39.5K $39.5K

-18.35%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.4K $26.4K

$27.3K $27.3K

-3.35%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$188 $188

$203 $203

-7.51%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$63.3 $63.3

$45.43 $45.43

39.25%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$70.7 $70.7

-6.35%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.6 $75.6

$42.90 $42.90

76.13%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.20 $13.20

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$8.08 $8.08

83.17%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,097 $2,097

$681 $681

207.82%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$23.6K $23.6K

63.19%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.9 $64.9

$49.94 $49.94

29.90%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$63.1 $63.1

-18.28%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.3 $96.3

$119 $119

-19.31%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$146 $146

$90.7 $90.7

61.31%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,332 $2,332

$1,605 $1,605

45.33%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,579 $1,579

$1,378 $1,378

14.61%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,775 $4,775

$2,602 $2,602

83.47%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,725 $2,725

$2,184 $2,184

24.76%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,023 $4,023

$2,723 $2,723

47.74%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,684 $2,684

$2,340 $2,340

14.71%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,981 $4,981

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.49

1.69%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 20, 2026

Last update for Belvidere, IL: July 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,332 in Chicago, IL versus $1,605 in Belvidere, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $47.00 in Belvidere, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $445 vs $309 – making Belvidere, IL the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Chicago, IL vs Belvidere, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago, IL costs about 28% more than Belvidere, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,626 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,604 in Belvidere, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Belvidere, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,084 in Chicago, IL and $2,403 in Belvidere, IL. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,097 per month in Chicago, IL and $681 in Belvidere, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Belvidere, IL, where all-in costs run around $2,403, than in Chicago, IL at $3,084. In Belvidere, IL it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Belvidere, IL costs $2,403 versus $3,084 in Chicago, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Belvidere, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.