Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Huntington, WV Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Huntington, WV

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,066 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,176 in Huntington, WV, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,583 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,062 in Huntington, WV, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,100 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,949 in Huntington, WV, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 41% more than Huntington, WV, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Huntington, WV sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Huntington, WV by 62%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.53 $20.53

$13.71 $13.71

49.74%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$61.1 $61.1

66.41%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.03 $12.03

$9.90 $9.90

21.52%

Cappuccino

$5.62 $5.62

$4.06 $4.06

38.42%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.39 $2.39

28.45%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.46 $1.46

65.75%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.98 $6.98

$5.10 $5.10

36.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.10 $8.10

$4.41 $4.41

83.67%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.75 $0.75

44.00%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$2.40 $2.40

64.58%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.52 $5.52

$3.74 $3.74

47.59%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$3.41 $3.41

33.43%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.58 $14.58

$7.54 $7.54

93.37%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.91 $14.91

$12.95 $12.95

15.14%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.83 $18.83

$15.31 $15.31

22.99%

Apples (1kg)

$5.34 $5.34

$2.16 $2.16

147.22%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.54 $1.54

14.29%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.82 $4.82

-8.92%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$3.63 $3.63

20.39%

Potato (1kg)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.86 $2.86

-10.84%

Onion (1kg)

$2.78 $2.78

$2.15 $2.15

29.30%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.09 $2.09

17.70%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.29 $2.29

16.16%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.74 $14.74

$10.02 $10.02

47.11%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$18.22 $18.22

-16.74%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.78 $1.78

37.64%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.68 $3.68

$2.84 $2.84

29.58%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.03 $1.03

144.66%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

$34.62 $34.62

115.28%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.54 $2.54

29.53%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.21 $1.21

18.18%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.86 $24.86

$29.04 $29.04

-14.39%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.87 $0.87

25.29%

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

$31.3K $31.3K

$24.8K $24.8K

26.51%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$21.1K $21.1K

26.76%

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

$187 $187

$414 $414

-54.80%

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

$62.4 $62.4

$45.43 $45.43

37.27%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.1 $67.1

$63.7 $63.7

5.47%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$49.61 $49.61

51.52%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.17 $13.17

Cinema Ticket

$15.21 $15.21

$11.18 $11.18

36.05%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$542 $542

276.09%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.3K $39.3K

$5,040 $5,040

680.50%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$43.16 $43.16

48.19%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.6 $50.6

$26.81 $26.81

88.70%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.4 $95.4

$74.0 $74.0

28.88%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$108 $108

33.32%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,355 $2,355

$1,021 $1,021

130.53%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,613 $1,613

$831 $831

94.05%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,728 $4,728

$1,478 $1,478

219.79%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,754 $2,754

$1,281 $1,281

115.01%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,803 $3,803

$1,231 $1,231

208.93%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,580 $2,580

$1,225 $1,225

110.67%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,738 $4,738

$3,704 $3,704

27.91%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.36

3.77%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 14, 2026

Last update for Huntington, WV: April 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,355 in Chicago, IL versus $1,021 in Huntington, WV. 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 28% 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $61 in Huntington, WV. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $351 – making Huntington, WV 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 Huntington, WV: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,066 in Chicago, IL, $2,176 in Huntington, WV – roughly 41% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,263 in Huntington, WV. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 27% 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 $102 in Chicago, IL and $61.0 in Huntington, WV. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Huntington, WV, where all-in costs run around $2,176, than in Chicago, IL at $3,066. In Huntington, WV 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 $2,176 in Huntington, WV to $3,066 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Huntington, WV. 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.