Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and East Rutherford, NJ Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and East Rutherford, NJ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,084 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,104 in East Rutherford, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,637 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,551 in East Rutherford, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,191 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,997 in East Rutherford, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 47% more than East Rutherford, NJ, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and East Rutherford, NJ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, East Rutherford, NJ by 57%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.81 $20.81

$17.16 $17.16

21.27%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.6 $98.6

$98.9 $98.9

-0.29%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.90 $11.90

$13.22 $13.22

-9.98%

Cappuccino

$5.84 $5.84

$5.10 $5.10

14.51%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.45 $2.45

25.31%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.01 $2.01

16.92%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$7.17 $7.17

-4.18%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.07 $8.07

$8.15 $8.15

-0.98%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.13 $1.13

-7.08%

White Bread (500g)

$3.98 $3.98

$3.87 $3.87

2.84%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.60 $5.60

$5.25 $5.25

6.67%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$4.75 $4.75

-4.21%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.20 $14.20

$9.84 $9.84

44.31%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.90 $14.90

$10.35 $10.35

43.96%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.08 $19.08

$17.47 $17.47

9.22%

Apples (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$5.07 $5.07

4.73%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.73 $1.73

-1.16%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$4.01 $4.01

5.74%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$4.08 $4.08

7.11%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.91 $2.91

-12.03%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$3.96 $3.96

-29.29%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.38 $2.38

3.78%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.19 $2.19

23.29%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.95 $14.95

$13.52 $13.52

10.58%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$24.03 $24.03

-38.70%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.68 $1.68

41.07%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$3.60 $3.60

-0.83%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.44 $2.44

$1.95 $1.95

25.13%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.2 $75.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.03 $3.03

10.56%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.29 $25.29

$23.82 $23.82

6.17%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.89 $0.89

22.47%

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

$32.3K $32.3K

$29.8K $29.8K

8.18%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.8K $25.8K

2.53%

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

$188 $188

$128 $128

47.53%

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

$63.3 $63.3

$43.03 $43.03

47.01%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$64.0 $64.0

3.37%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.6 $75.6

$43.85 $43.85

72.31%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.20 $13.20

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$17.25 $17.25

-14.20%

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

$2,097 $2,097

$1,414 $1,414

48.24%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$23.4K $23.4K

64.20%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.9 $64.9

$37.31 $37.31

73.87%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$24.20 $24.20

113.18%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.3 $96.3

$75.5 $75.5

27.50%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$146 $146

$136 $136

7.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,332 $2,332

$1,108 $1,108

110.43%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,579 $1,579

$945 $945

67.14%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,775 $4,775

$2,855 $2,855

67.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,725 $2,725

$2,310 $2,310

17.98%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,023 $4,023

$2,599 $2,599

54.79%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,684 $2,684

$2,742 $2,742

-2.11%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,981 $4,981

$5,098 $5,098

-2.30%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.62

-0.30%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 20, 2026

Last update for East Rutherford, NJ: July 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,332 in Chicago, IL versus $1,108 in East Rutherford, NJ. 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 2% higher in East Rutherford, NJ, 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $99.0 in East Rutherford, NJ. Groceries tell a different story – $445 in Chicago, IL vs $412 in East Rutherford, NJ – so East Rutherford, 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 East Rutherford, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,084 in Chicago, IL, $2,104 in East Rutherford, NJ – roughly 47% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,626 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,156 in East Rutherford, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in East Rutherford, 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $99.0 in East Rutherford, NJ. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 8% 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.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in East Rutherford, NJ, where all-in costs run around $2,104, than in Chicago, IL at $3,084. In East Rutherford, NJ it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,104 in East Rutherford, NJ to $3,084 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with East Rutherford, 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.