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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,615 in Chesapeake, VA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,730 in Chesapeake, VA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,845 in Chesapeake, VA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 19% more than Chesapeake, VA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Chesapeake, VA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Chesapeake, VA by 91%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$19.75 $19.75

0.86%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$95.5 $95.5

-7.36%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$10.96 $10.96

18.07%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.89 $5.89

-5.94%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.27 $2.27

20.70%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.13 $2.13

10.80%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$6.04 $6.04

17.88%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$6.44 $6.44

35.56%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.89 $0.89

50.56%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.79 $3.79

10.03%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$3.11 $3.11

84.24%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$3.40 $3.40

43.82%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$14.13 $14.13

4.53%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$8.12 $8.12

82.88%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$17.83 $17.83

9.98%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$5.10 $5.10

9.22%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.05 $1.05

82.86%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$4.39 $4.39

-5.01%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$4.48 $4.48

8.48%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.86 $2.86

-0.70%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.86 $2.86

-2.10%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.51 $1.51

45.70%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.22 $2.22

37.84%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$9.55 $9.55

69.21%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$14.88 $14.88

-0.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.68 $1.68

50.60%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$2.65 $2.65

26.42%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.99 $1.99

28.14%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$68.6 $68.6

10.14%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.97 $2.97

11.11%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.19 $1.19

14.29%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$17.65 $17.65

42.32%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.89 $0.89

31.46%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

-0.08%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.5K $25.5K

2.69%

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

$191 $191

0.02%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$57.5 $57.5

18.08%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$65.8 $65.8

-6.30%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$46.42 $46.42

36.73%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$13.21 $13.21

36.41%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,499 $1,499

1.51%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$19.1K $19.1K

63.58%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$39.77 $39.77

60.12%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$20.25 $20.25

172.84%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$74.9 $74.9

34.10%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$107 $107

43.44%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,798 $1,798

33.79%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,376 $1,376

20.15%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,235 $2,235

104.78%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$1,925 $1,925

43.98%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$1,832 $1,832

120.08%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$1,647 $1,647

66.70%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$4,190 $4,190

14.66%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.13

4.08%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Chesapeake, VA: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,798 in Chesapeake, 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 15% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $96.0 in Chesapeake, VA. Groceries tell a different story – $464 in Chicago, IL vs $372 in Chesapeake, VA – so Chesapeake, VA 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 Chesapeake, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Chicago, IL is pricier by about 19%, 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 $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,923 in Chesapeake, VA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $1,522 per month in Chicago, IL and $1,499 in Chesapeake, VA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 25% 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.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,615 in Chesapeake, VA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Chesapeake, VA – 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 Chesapeake, 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.