Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Islip, NY Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Islip, NY

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,068 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,756 in Islip, NY, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,648 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,101 in Islip, NY, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,229 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,447 in Islip, NY, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 11% more than Islip, NY, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Islip, NY sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Islip, NY by 106%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.17 $20.17

$24.54 $24.54

-17.81%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.5 $99.5

$111 $111

-10.14%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.23 $12.23

$12.43 $12.43

-1.61%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.71 $4.71

18.90%

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

$3.12 $3.12

$2.73 $2.73

14.29%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.73 $1.73

40.46%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.93 $6.93

$7.29 $7.29

-4.94%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.20 $8.20

$8.21 $8.21

-0.12%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$1.26 $1.26

-14.29%

White Bread (500g)

$3.97 $3.97

$4.80 $4.80

-17.29%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.58 $5.58

$4.90 $4.90

13.88%

Eggs

$4.47 $4.47

$5.23 $5.23

-14.53%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.50 $14.50

$17.51 $17.51

-17.19%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$16.42 $16.42

-8.16%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.34 $19.34

$15.35 $15.35

25.99%

Apples (1kg)

$5.37 $5.37

$6.57 $6.57

-18.26%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$2.31 $2.31

-23.81%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$2.21 $2.21

95.48%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.41 $4.41

$6.43 $6.43

-31.42%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.79 $2.79

-8.96%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.94 $3.94

-31.47%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.49 $2.49

$1.50 $1.50

66.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.60 $2.60

$2.26 $2.26

15.04%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.80 $14.80

$15.13 $15.13

-2.18%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.18 $15.18

$12.79 $12.79

18.69%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.38 $2.38

3.78%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.60 $3.60

$3.70 $3.70

-2.70%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.03 $2.03

25.12%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.3 $76.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$3.91 $3.91

-15.60%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$2.03 $2.03

-32.02%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.36 $25.36

$42.23 $42.23

-39.95%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.89 $0.89

22.47%

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

$31.6K $31.6K

$24.3K $24.3K

30.00%

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

$26.6K $26.6K

$28.3K $28.3K

-6.22%

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

$186 $186

$182 $182

2.00%

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

$62.9 $62.9

$60.2 $60.2

4.47%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$63.1 $63.1

4.83%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.6 $77.6

$42.23 $42.23

83.80%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.16 $13.16

Cinema Ticket

$14.74 $14.74

$15.81 $15.81

-6.77%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$3,175 $3,175

-35.78%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$23.6K $23.6K

68.60%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$44.15 $44.15

44.62%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$26.95 $26.95

89.87%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.2 $95.2

$90.8 $90.8

4.79%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$130 $130

10.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,305 $2,305

$2,037 $2,037

13.19%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,575 $1,575

$1,356 $1,356

16.19%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,688 $4,688

$2,641 $2,641

77.51%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,737 $2,737

$2,200 $2,200

24.42%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,063 $4,063

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,696 $2,696

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,019 $5,019

$4,036 $4,036

24.35%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.44

2.48%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 11, 2026

Last update for Islip, NY: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,305 in Chicago, IL versus $2,037 in Islip, NY. 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 24% 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $111 in Islip, NY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $464 – making Chicago, IL 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 Islip, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,068 in Chicago, IL, $2,756 in Islip, NY – roughly 11% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,602 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,133 in Islip, NY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Islip, NY, 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $111 in Islip, NY. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 3% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,068 in Chicago, IL and $2,756 in Islip, NY. 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 $2,756 in Islip, NY to $3,068 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Islip, NY. 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.