Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Burlington, NC Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Burlington, NC

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,584 in Burlington, NC, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,749 in Burlington, NC, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,914 in Burlington, NC, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 18% more than Burlington, NC, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Burlington, NC sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Burlington, NC by 93%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$19.20 $19.20

7.66%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$74.1 $74.1

35.57%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$10.92 $10.92

8.61%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.03 $5.03

10.14%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.53 $2.53

20.95%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.96 $1.96

26.53%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$6.03 $6.03

14.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$6.98 $6.98

16.48%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.99 $0.99

5.05%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$3.61 $3.61

8.31%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$4.37 $4.37

24.03%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$4.03 $4.03

11.17%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$12.42 $12.42

16.91%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$11.46 $11.46

32.72%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$15.64 $15.64

23.08%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.92 $4.92

9.55%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.63 $1.63

3.68%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$4.18 $4.18

3.35%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$4.78 $4.78

-5.65%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.87 $2.87

-10.80%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.80 $2.80

-3.57%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.04 $2.04

18.14%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.09 $2.09

25.36%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$9.74 $9.74

54.21%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$13.89 $13.89

5.90%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.82 $1.82

36.26%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$3.35 $3.35

10.15%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.97 $1.97

29.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$3.58 $3.58

-8.10%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.66 $1.66

-13.86%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$28.74 $28.74

-13.99%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.86 $0.86

26.74%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$29.4K $29.4K

8.15%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.6K $25.6K

3.46%

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

$183 $183

$189 $189

-3.10%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$52.7 $52.7

17.39%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$67.2 $67.2

-3.19%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$43.43 $43.43

75.18%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$13.51 $13.51

9.18%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$1,294 $1,294

58.86%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$23.5K $23.5K

63.51%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$50.3 $50.3

27.15%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$39.25 $39.25

31.44%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$88.2 $88.2

10.33%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$114 $114

29.15%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,618 $1,618

45.18%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,340 $1,340

17.97%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,619 $2,619

79.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,263 $2,263

19.99%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$2,791 $2,791

42.47%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,490 $2,490

5.69%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

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: April 20, 2026

Last update for Burlington, NC: April 19, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,618 in Burlington, NC. 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $74 in Burlington, NC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $387 – making Burlington, NC 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 Burlington, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,584 in Burlington, NC – roughly 18% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,876 in Burlington, NC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Burlington, NC, 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 $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $2,584 in Burlington, NC. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,056 per month in Chicago, IL and $1,294 in Burlington, NC. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $2,584 in Burlington, NC. 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 $2,584 in Burlington, NC to $3,051 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Burlington, NC. 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.