Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Bradley Beach, NJ Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Bradley Beach, NJ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,616 in Bradley Beach, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,943 in Bradley Beach, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,269 in Bradley Beach, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 18% more than Bradley Beach, NJ, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Bradley Beach, NJ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Bradley Beach, NJ by 95%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$19.88 $19.88

5.18%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$121 $121

-19.10%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$10.01 $10.01

18.48%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.96 $5.96

-6.04%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.74 $2.74

12.04%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.04 $2.04

21.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.92 $5.92

20.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$8.12 $8.12

-0.49%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.26 $1.26

-16.67%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$4.28 $4.28

-3.97%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$6.16 $6.16

-8.93%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$3.59 $3.59

25.63%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$13.66 $13.66

4.47%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$12.69 $12.69

17.34%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$10.87 $10.87

76.54%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$3.06 $3.06

67.97%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.32 $1.32

34.09%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$2.68 $2.68

63.81%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$3.37 $3.37

35.31%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.17 $2.17

17.05%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.21 $2.21

24.43%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.02 $2.02

19.80%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.13 $1.13

131.86%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$15.02 $15.02

-0.67%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$14.89 $14.89

-0.60%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.48 $2.48

-0.81%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.53 $3.53

5.67%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.95 $1.95

27.18%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.02 $3.02

5.30%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.58 $1.58

-10.13%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$42.61 $42.61

-41.47%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.97 $0.97

9.28%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$25.6K $25.6K

24.91%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.3K $24.3K

6.97%

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

$185 $185

$161 $161

15.21%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$60.2 $60.2

2.61%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$69.2 $69.2

-3.25%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.65 $42.65

76.25%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$19.98 $19.98

-26.38%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,903 $1,903

6.17%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$14.2K $14.2K

177.84%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$61.4 $61.4

5.18%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$59.0 $59.0

-11.09%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$109 $109

-10.20%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$133 $133

11.18%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,626 $1,626

42.18%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,348 $1,348

17.95%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,643 $2,643

74.34%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,230 $2,230

24.58%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,747 $2,747

42.78%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,605 $2,605

0.29%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Bradley Beach, NJ: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,626 in Bradley Beach, NJ. 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $121 in Bradley Beach, NJ. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $364 in Bradley Beach, NJ – so Bradley Beach, NJ wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Bradley Beach, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,616 in Bradley Beach, NJ – roughly 18% 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 $3,924 in Bradley Beach, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $121 in Bradley Beach, NJ. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 23% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,616 in Bradley Beach, NJ. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,616 in Bradley Beach, NJ to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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 Bradley Beach, NJ. 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.