Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Flanders, NJ Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Flanders, NJ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,578 in Flanders, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,893 in Flanders, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,208 in Flanders, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 18% more than Flanders, NJ, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Flanders, NJ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Flanders, NJ by 92%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$20.07 $20.07

2.99%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$119 $119

-15.62%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.56 $12.56

-5.57%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.73 $5.73

-3.32%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.79 $2.79

9.68%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.13 $2.13

16.43%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$8.23 $8.23

-15.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$7.89 $7.89

3.04%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.02 $1.02

1.96%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$4.70 $4.70

-16.81%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$1.97 $1.97

175.13%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$2.55 $2.55

75.69%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$13.66 $13.66

6.30%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$12.59 $12.59

20.81%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$15.34 $15.34

25.49%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.41 $4.41

22.22%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.26 $1.26

34.13%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$2.73 $2.73

58.24%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$5.38 $5.38

-16.17%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.20 $2.20

16.36%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.75 $2.75

-1.82%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.04 $2.04

18.14%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.39 $2.39

9.62%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$11.14 $11.14

34.83%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$15.29 $15.29

-3.79%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.59 $2.59

-4.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$3.67 $3.67

0.54%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.95 $1.95

30.77%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$3.08 $3.08

6.82%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.63 $1.63

-12.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$42.01 $42.01

-41.16%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.98 $0.98

11.22%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$25.3K $25.3K

25.50%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$24.7K $24.7K

7.23%

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

$183 $183

$160 $160

14.50%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$59.4 $59.4

4.07%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$67.6 $67.6

-3.73%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$43.33 $43.33

75.58%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$14.21 $14.21

3.80%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$1,942 $1,942

5.86%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$14.3K $14.3K

169.46%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$29.98 $29.98

113.24%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$59.9 $59.9

-13.93%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$70.2 $70.2

38.55%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$133 $133

10.75%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,626 $1,626

44.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,378 $1,378

14.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,583 $2,583

82.27%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,238 $2,238

21.36%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$2,494 $2,494

59.43%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,030 $2,030

29.63%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Flanders, NJ: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,626 in Flanders, NJ. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $100 in Chicago, IL versus $119 in Flanders, NJ. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $392 in Flanders, NJ – so Flanders, 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 Flanders, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,578 in Flanders, NJ – roughly 18% 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 $3,868 in Flanders, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Flanders, 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 $119 in Flanders, 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.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $2,578 in Flanders, NJ. 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 $2,578 in Flanders, NJ to $3,051 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Flanders, 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.