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 $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,092 in East Rutherford, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,525 in East Rutherford, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,958 in East Rutherford, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 46% 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 128%, East Rutherford, NJ by 56%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$16.95 $16.95

21.95%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$101 $101

-0.26%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$13.15 $13.15

-9.81%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.97 $4.97

11.47%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.36 $2.36

29.66%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.02 $2.02

22.77%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$6.91 $6.91

0.14%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$8.20 $8.20

-0.85%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.17 $1.17

-11.11%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$3.88 $3.88

0.77%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$5.17 $5.17

4.84%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$4.81 $4.81

-6.86%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$9.73 $9.73

49.23%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$10.41 $10.41

46.11%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$17.09 $17.09

12.64%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.85 $4.85

11.13%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.70 $1.70

-0.59%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$3.90 $3.90

10.77%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$4.29 $4.29

5.13%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.83 $2.83

-9.54%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.91 $3.91

-30.95%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.49 $2.49

-3.21%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.15 $2.15

21.86%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$13.73 $13.73

9.40%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$15.09 $15.09

-2.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.75 $1.75

41.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$3.62 $3.62

1.93%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.02 $2.02

26.24%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.96 $2.96

11.15%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.41 $1.41

1.42%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$24.22 $24.22

2.06%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.96 $0.96

13.54%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$29.0K $29.0K

9.46%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.3K $25.3K

4.65%

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

$183 $183

$127 $127

44.59%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$43.50 $43.50

42.14%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$64.6 $64.6

0.73%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$43.78 $43.78

73.78%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$16.89 $16.89

-12.67%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$1,383 $1,383

48.70%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$23.2K $23.2K

65.71%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$37.00 $37.00

72.78%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$24.30 $24.30

112.30%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$73.6 $73.6

32.13%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$135 $135

8.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,103 $1,103

112.96%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$939 $939

68.39%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,804 $2,804

67.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,320 $2,320

17.04%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$2,359 $2,359

68.57%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,532 $2,532

3.93%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$5,118 $5,118

-7.71%

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: April 20, 2026

Last update for East Rutherford, NJ: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,103 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 8% 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $101 in East Rutherford, NJ. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $393 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: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,092 in East Rutherford, NJ – roughly 46% 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 $3,137 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 $100 in Chicago, IL and $101 in East Rutherford, NJ. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 14% 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 $2,092, than in Chicago, IL at $3,051. 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 $2,092 in East Rutherford, NJ to $3,051 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.