Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fort Lee, NJ Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fort Lee, NJ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,166 in Fort Lee, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,152 in Fort Lee, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $7,139 in Fort Lee, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 4% cheaper than Fort Lee, NJ, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Fort Lee, NJ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Fort Lee, NJ by 136%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$19.70 $19.70

4.92%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$101 $101

-0.26%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.74 $12.74

-6.91%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.31 $5.31

4.33%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.40 $2.40

27.50%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.28 $1.28

93.75%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$7.07 $7.07

-2.12%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$9.18 $9.18

-11.44%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.34 $1.34

-22.39%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$3.28 $3.28

19.21%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$4.29 $4.29

26.34%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$4.25 $4.25

5.41%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$21.43 $21.43

-32.24%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$11.73 $11.73

29.67%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$17.28 $17.28

11.40%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.89 $4.89

10.22%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.57 $1.57

7.64%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$4.02 $4.02

7.46%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$4.08 $4.08

10.54%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.87 $2.87

-10.80%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.81 $3.81

-29.13%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.48 $2.48

-2.82%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.70 $2.70

-2.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$12.02 $12.02

24.96%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$12.11 $12.11

21.47%

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

$6.10 $6.10

-39.51%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$3.77 $3.77

-32.36%

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

$2.07 $2.07

-30.92%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$23.94 $23.94

3.26%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.93 $0.93

17.20%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$29.8K $29.8K

6.46%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.2K $25.2K

4.91%

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

$183 $183

$127 $127

44.52%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$45.18 $45.18

36.85%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$63.8 $63.8

1.88%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$125 $125

-38.99%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$15.15 $15.15

-2.64%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$2,018 $2,018

1.91%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$24.1K $24.1K

59.78%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$73.6 $73.6

-13.14%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$61.1 $61.1

-15.58%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$70.3 $70.3

38.31%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$101 $101

45.36%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$2,252 $2,252

4.32%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,855 $1,855

-14.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$4,689 $4,689

0.41%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$3,838 $3,838

-29.25%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$4,388 $4,388

-9.39%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$3,733 $3,733

-29.51%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$6,761 $6,761

-30.14%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.35

3.94%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Fort Lee, NJ: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $2,252 in Fort Lee, 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 43% higher in Fort Lee, NJ, 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $101 in Fort Lee, NJ. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $429 in Fort Lee, NJ – so Fort Lee, 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 Fort Lee, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $3,166 in Fort Lee, NJ – roughly 4% apart. Fort Lee, NJ 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 $4,749 in Fort Lee, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in Fort Lee, NJ – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $3,166 in Fort Lee, 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 $3,051 in Chicago, IL to $3,166 in Fort Lee, NJ. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Fort Lee, NJ makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.