Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Cape Carteret, NC Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Cape Carteret, NC

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,433 in Cape Carteret, NC, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,526 in Cape Carteret, NC, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,618 in Cape Carteret, NC, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 25% more than Cape Carteret, NC, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Cape Carteret, NC sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Cape Carteret, NC by 82%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$19.80 $19.80

4.39%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$50.1 $50.1

100.68%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.18 $12.18

-2.63%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.03 $5.03

10.14%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$1.48 $1.48

106.76%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.37 $2.37

4.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$6.15 $6.15

12.52%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$6.85 $6.85

18.69%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.63 $0.63

65.08%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$3.01 $3.01

29.90%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$5.40 $5.40

0.37%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$3.60 $3.60

24.44%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$11.38 $11.38

27.59%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$6.98 $6.98

117.91%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$16.06 $16.06

19.86%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$2.50 $2.50

115.60%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.49 $1.49

13.42%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$2.82 $2.82

53.19%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$4.29 $4.29

5.13%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.26 $2.26

13.27%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.10 $3.10

-12.90%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$1.69 $1.69

42.60%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.24 $2.24

16.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$8.93 $8.93

68.20%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$5.09 $5.09

189.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.83 $1.83

35.52%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$2.20 $2.20

67.73%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.94 $1.94

31.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$4.64 $4.64

-29.09%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.75 $1.75

-18.29%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$19.67 $19.67

25.67%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.87 $0.87

25.29%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$34.5K $34.5K

-7.88%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$26.9K $26.9K

-1.61%

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

$183 $183

$163 $163

12.39%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$48.77 $48.77

26.78%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$67.3 $67.3

-3.29%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$43.06 $43.06

76.68%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$9.83 $9.83

50.05%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$1,604 $1,604

28.23%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$16.2K $16.2K

137.20%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$49.93 $49.93

28.04%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$45.25 $45.25

14.01%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$84.3 $84.3

15.37%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$44.29 $44.29

232.33%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,605 $1,605

46.41%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,362 $1,362

16.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,624 $2,624

79.45%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,224 $2,224

22.09%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$2,637 $2,637

50.79%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,515 $2,515

4.64%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$3,048 $3,048

54.99%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.58

0.30%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Cape Carteret, NC: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,605 in Cape Carteret, NC. 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 55% 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $50 in Cape Carteret, NC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $314 – making Cape Carteret, 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 Cape Carteret, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Chicago, IL is pricier by about 25%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,650 in Cape Carteret, NC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Cape Carteret, 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 $2,433 in Cape Carteret, 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 $1,604 in Cape Carteret, NC. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $2,433 in Cape Carteret, NC. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Cape Carteret, NC – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Cape Carteret, 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.