Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Long Branch, NJ Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Long Branch, NJ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,802 in Long Branch, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,090 in Long Branch, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,377 in Long Branch, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 9% more than Long Branch, NJ, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Long Branch, NJ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Long Branch, NJ by 109%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$19.94 $19.94

3.66%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$90.9 $90.9

10.58%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.23 $12.23

-3.03%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.99 $4.99

11.02%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.64 $2.64

15.91%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.93 $1.93

28.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$4.10 $4.10

68.78%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$6.85 $6.85

18.69%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.36 $1.36

-23.53%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$4.12 $4.12

-5.10%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$10.25 $10.25

-47.12%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$4.35 $4.35

2.99%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$15.11 $15.11

-3.90%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$13.91 $13.91

9.35%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$20.89 $20.89

-7.85%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$6.20 $6.20

-13.06%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$2.14 $2.14

-21.03%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$4.96 $4.96

-12.90%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$5.45 $5.45

-17.25%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$3.45 $3.45

-25.80%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.92 $2.92

-7.53%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$3.02 $3.02

-20.20%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.42 $2.42

8.26%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$12.98 $12.98

15.72%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$14.95 $14.95

-1.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.04 $2.04

21.57%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$4.08 $4.08

-9.56%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.05 $2.05

24.39%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.92 $2.92

12.67%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.41 $1.41

1.42%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$21.65 $21.65

14.18%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.91 $0.91

19.78%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$27.5K $27.5K

15.62%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.8K $25.8K

2.39%

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

$183 $183

$272 $272

-32.50%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$62.4 $62.4

-0.91%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$77.6 $77.6

-16.13%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$42.53 $42.53

78.89%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$15.18 $15.18

-2.83%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$2,058 $2,058

-0.08%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$23.1K $23.1K

66.52%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$51.4 $51.4

24.30%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$41.30 $41.30

24.92%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$94.6 $94.6

2.86%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$146 $146

1.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,605 $1,605

46.40%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,328 $1,328

19.07%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,615 $2,615

80.06%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,231 $2,231

21.72%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$3,053 $3,053

30.23%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,465 $2,465

6.76%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.68

-1.20%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Long Branch, NJ: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,605 in Long Branch, NJ. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $100 in Chicago, IL versus $91 in Long Branch, NJ. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $487 in Long Branch, NJ – so Chicago, IL 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 Long Branch, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,802 in Long Branch, NJ – roughly 9% apart. Chicago, IL 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 $4,204 in Long Branch, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Long Branch, NJ, 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 $91.0 in Long Branch, NJ. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 9% cheaper in Chicago, IL – 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 $2,802 in Long Branch, 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 $2,802 in Long Branch, NJ to $3,051 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 Long Branch, NJ. 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.