Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Blacksburg, VA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Blacksburg, VA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,035 in Blacksburg, VA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,133 in Blacksburg, VA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,231 in Blacksburg, VA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 51% more than Blacksburg, VA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Blacksburg, VA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Blacksburg, VA by 52%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$16.24 $16.24

28.76%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$62.8 $62.8

56.23%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$8.63 $8.63

37.43%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.89 $4.89

14.52%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.52 $2.52

21.83%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.98 $1.98

24.75%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$6.13 $6.13

16.48%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$8.14 $8.14

-0.74%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.99 $0.99

6.06%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.57 $3.57

15.13%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.32 $4.32

29.86%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$3.45 $3.45

30.72%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$13.44 $13.44

6.18%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$11.24 $11.24

32.47%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$7.29 $7.29

163.24%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.43 $4.43

16.03%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.65 $1.65

7.27%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.89 $3.89

12.85%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.80 $4.80

-5.00%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.77 $2.77

-8.30%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.21 $2.21

24.43%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.06 $2.06

17.48%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.02 $2.02

29.70%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$7.35 $7.35

102.99%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$15.07 $15.07

-1.79%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.79 $1.79

37.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$4.46 $4.46

-16.37%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.97 $1.97

25.89%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$4.45 $4.45

-28.54%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.67 $1.67

-14.97%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$12.16 $12.16

105.10%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.79 $0.79

34.18%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$25.4K $25.4K

25.61%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.2K $24.2K

7.77%

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

$185 $185

$147 $147

25.49%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$31.97 $31.97

93.12%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$97.7 $97.7

-31.51%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$40.33 $40.33

86.39%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

$9.86 $9.86

32.66%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$13.17 $13.17

11.69%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$861 $861

134.69%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$26.0K $26.0K

51.58%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$30.94 $30.94

108.82%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$29.77 $29.77

76.18%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$62.6 $62.6

56.36%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$75.9 $75.9

94.53%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,338 $1,338

72.79%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$949 $949

67.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,131 $2,131

116.24%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$1,973 $1,973

40.81%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,075 $2,075

89.02%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,110 $2,110

23.84%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$4,151 $4,151

25.70%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.3

4.76%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Blacksburg, VA: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,338 in Blacksburg, VA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 26% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $63.0 in Blacksburg, VA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $360 – making Blacksburg, VA 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 Blacksburg, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,035 in Blacksburg, VA – roughly 51% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,053 in Blacksburg, VA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Blacksburg, VA, 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,035 in Blacksburg, VA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,020 per month in Chicago, IL and $861 in Blacksburg, VA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Blacksburg, VA, where all-in costs run around $2,035, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In Blacksburg, VA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,035 in Blacksburg, VA to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Blacksburg, VA. 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.