Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and East Providence, RI Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and East Providence, RI

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,969 in East Providence, RI, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,256 in East Providence, RI, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,544 in East Providence, RI, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 4% more than East Providence, RI, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and East Providence, RI sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, East Providence, RI by 122%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$25.29 $25.29

-17.32%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$101 $101

-2.52%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.16 $12.16

-2.47%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.28 $4.28

30.84%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.79 $2.79

10.04%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.08 $2.08

18.75%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.88 $5.88

21.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.62 $7.62

6.04%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.25 $1.25

-16.00%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.33 $3.33

23.42%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$3.11 $3.11

80.39%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.81 $4.81

-6.24%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$17.68 $17.68

-19.29%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$13.28 $13.28

12.12%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$17.54 $17.54

9.41%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$6.63 $6.63

-22.47%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.14 $2.14

-17.29%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$5.96 $5.96

-26.34%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$5.76 $5.76

-20.83%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$4.50 $4.50

-43.56%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$3.47 $3.47

-20.75%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.41 $2.41

0.41%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.19 $2.19

19.63%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$12.21 $12.21

22.19%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$15.00 $15.00

-1.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.75 $1.75

40.57%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$2.04 $2.04

82.84%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.02 $2.02

22.77%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$4.07 $4.07

-21.87%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$2.18 $2.18

-34.86%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$29.68 $29.68

-15.97%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.84 $0.84

26.19%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$28.6K $28.6K

11.48%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.9K $24.9K

4.65%

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

$185 $185

$190 $190

-2.76%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$72.3 $72.3

-14.65%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$70.3 $70.3

-4.86%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.59 $43.59

72.45%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

$58.6 $58.6

-77.66%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$14.80 $14.80

-0.61%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,276 $1,276

58.36%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$32.7K $32.7K

20.60%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$52.8 $52.8

22.37%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$32.20 $32.20

62.89%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$66.0 $66.0

48.17%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$84.2 $84.2

75.15%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,882 $1,882

22.85%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,624 $1,624

-2.10%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,638 $2,638

74.66%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,312 $2,312

20.17%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$6,271 $6,271

-16.80%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.38

3.45%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for East Providence, RI: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,882 in East Providence, RI. 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 20% higher in East Providence, RI, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $101 in East Providence, RI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $447 – making Chicago, IL 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 East Providence, RI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,969 in East Providence, RI – roughly 4% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,454 in East Providence, RI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in East Providence, RI, 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 $101 in East Providence, RI. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 0% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,969 in East Providence, RI. 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 $2,969 in East Providence, RI to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with East Providence, RI. 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.