Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Goose Creek, SC Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Goose Creek, SC

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,395 in Goose Creek, SC, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,564 in Goose Creek, SC, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,734 in Goose Creek, SC, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 28% more than Goose Creek, SC, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Goose Creek, SC sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Goose Creek, SC by 79%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$18.18 $18.18

15.02%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$80.9 $80.9

21.34%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$9.93 $9.93

19.44%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.04 $5.04

11.11%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.50 $2.50

22.80%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.95 $1.95

26.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.92 $5.92

20.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.87 $7.87

2.67%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.82 $0.82

28.05%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.39 $3.39

21.24%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.41 $4.41

27.21%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$2.69 $2.69

67.66%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$13.38 $13.38

6.65%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$16.77 $16.77

-11.21%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$13.44 $13.44

42.78%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$5.75 $5.75

-10.61%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.65 $1.65

7.27%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$6.55 $6.55

-32.98%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$3.90 $3.90

16.92%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.70 $3.70

-31.35%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.81 $2.81

-2.14%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.79 $1.79

35.20%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.54 $1.54

70.13%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$8.04 $8.04

85.57%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$11.87 $11.87

24.68%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.14 $2.14

14.95%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.18 $3.18

17.30%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.98 $1.98

25.25%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.06 $3.06

3.92%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.52 $1.52

-6.58%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$30.24 $30.24

-17.53%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.87 $0.87

21.84%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$30.3K $30.3K

5.20%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.1K $25.1K

3.93%

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

$185 $185

$140 $140

32.16%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$52.1 $52.1

18.53%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$71.2 $71.2

-6.00%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$50.2 $50.2

49.74%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

$17.25 $17.25

-24.17%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$8.98 $8.98

63.81%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$638 $638

216.74%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$24.7K $24.7K

59.71%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$41.02 $41.02

57.51%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$36.34 $36.34

44.33%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$78.9 $78.9

23.93%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$88.6 $88.6

66.46%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,377 $1,377

67.98%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,236 $1,236

28.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,206 $2,206

108.91%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,019 $2,019

37.62%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,033 $2,033

92.86%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,104 $2,104

24.17%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$3,018 $3,018

72.86%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.25

5.60%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Goose Creek, SC: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,377 in Goose Creek, SC. 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 73% higher in Chicago, IL, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $81.0 in Goose Creek, SC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $402 – making Goose Creek, SC 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 Goose Creek, SC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,395 in Goose Creek, SC – roughly 28% 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 $3,592 in Goose Creek, SC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Goose Creek, SC, 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 $81.0 in Goose Creek, SC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 11% 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 Goose Creek, SC, where all-in costs run around $2,395, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In Goose Creek, SC 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 $2,395 in Goose Creek, SC to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. 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 Goose Creek, SC. 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.