Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Greenville, SC Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Greenville, SC

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,184 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,602 in Greenville, SC, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,725 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,969 in Greenville, SC, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,266 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,337 in Greenville, SC, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 22% more than Greenville, SC, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Greenville, SC sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Greenville, SC by 89%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.26 $20.26

$17.95 $17.95

12.87%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.8 $88.8

$95.3 $95.3

-6.83%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.16 $13.16

$11.05 $11.05

19.10%

Cappuccino

$5.77 $5.77

$5.57 $5.57

3.59%

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

$2.63 $2.63

$3.08 $3.08

-14.61%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 $2.34

$2.10 $2.10

11.43%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.06 $7.06

$6.07 $6.07

16.31%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.18 $9.18

$7.68 $7.68

19.53%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$0.93 $0.93

39.78%

White Bread (500g)

$4.05 $4.05

$3.69 $3.69

9.76%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.69 $5.69

$4.82 $4.82

18.05%

Eggs

$4.85 $4.85

$4.04 $4.04

20.05%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$15.12 $15.12

-0.26%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.87 $14.87

$13.11 $13.11

13.42%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$19.55 $19.55

-1.38%

Apples (1kg)

$5.68 $5.68

$6.55 $6.55

-13.28%

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.49 $1.49

29.53%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.10 $4.10

$7.42 $7.42

-44.74%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.11 $5.11

$5.73 $5.73

-10.82%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$4.82 $4.82

-39.42%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$4.31 $4.31

-35.73%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.30 $2.30

$2.78 $2.78

-17.27%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.04 $3.04

$1.95 $1.95

55.90%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.93 $15.93

$8.44 $8.44

88.74%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.06 $15.06

$14.96 $14.96

0.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.64 $1.64

54.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$1.72 $1.72

102.33%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.53 $2.53

$4.94 $4.94

-48.79%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.8 $74.8

$50.3 $50.3

48.51%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.28 $3.28

$3.58 $3.58

-8.38%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.45 $1.45

-6.21%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.55 $22.55

$17.86 $17.86

26.26%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$0.82 $0.82

48.78%

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

$36.1K $36.1K

$35.8K $35.8K

1.00%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.5K $25.5K

1.80%

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

$188 $188

$144 $144

31.27%

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

$69.0 $69.0

$70.6 $70.6

-2.29%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.6 $63.6

$61.0 $61.0

4.18%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.4 $63.4

$63.9 $63.9

-0.74%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.11 $27.11

$14.31 $14.31

89.45%

Cinema Ticket

$17.90 $17.90

$14.92 $14.92

19.97%

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

$1,526 $1,526

$1,704 $1,704

-10.45%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

$9,983 $9,983

219.43%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.1 $62.1

$52.1 $52.1

19.16%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.4 $56.4

$35.50 $35.50

58.82%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$87.3 $87.3

15.62%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$156 $156

$134 $134

16.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,342 $2,342

$1,751 $1,751

33.81%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,698 $1,698

$1,244 $1,244

36.51%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,576 $4,576

$2,530 $2,530

80.87%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,806 $2,806

$2,089 $2,089

34.34%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,130 $4,130

$1,973 $1,973

109.32%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,740 $2,740

$1,972 $1,972

38.94%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,891 $4,891

$4,417 $4,417

10.72%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.16

3.57%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 6, 2026

Last update for Greenville, SC: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,342 in Chicago, IL versus $1,751 in Greenville, 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 11% 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 $89.0 in Chicago, IL versus $95.0 in Greenville, SC. Groceries tell a different story – $465 in Chicago, IL vs $450 in Greenville, SC – so Greenville, SC 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 Greenville, SC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,184 in Chicago, IL, $2,602 in Greenville, SC – roughly 22% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,776 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,903 in Greenville, SC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Greenville, SC, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 3% 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 mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Chicago, IL and $95.0 in Greenville, SC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,184 in Chicago, IL and $2,602 in Greenville, SC. 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 $2,602 in Greenville, SC to $3,184 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Greenville, 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.