Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Manalapan Township, NJ Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Manalapan Township, NJ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,827 in Manalapan Township, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,150 in Manalapan Township, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,472 in Manalapan Township, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 8% more than Manalapan Township, NJ, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Manalapan Township, NJ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Manalapan Township, NJ by 111%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$19.94 $19.94

3.66%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$90.8 $90.8

10.70%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.33 $12.33

-3.81%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.34 $5.34

3.75%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.43 $2.43

25.93%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$8.05 $8.05

-14.04%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$8.07 $8.07

0.74%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.27 $1.27

-18.11%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$3.99 $3.99

-2.01%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$6.46 $6.46

-16.10%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$4.28 $4.28

4.67%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$15.68 $15.68

-7.40%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$12.60 $12.60

20.71%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$15.09 $15.09

27.57%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$5.91 $5.91

-8.80%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$2.60 $2.60

-35.00%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$5.35 $5.35

-19.25%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$6.10 $6.10

-26.07%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.76 $2.76

-7.25%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$4.40 $4.40

-38.64%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.57 $2.57

-6.23%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.40 $2.40

9.17%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$13.11 $13.11

14.57%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$12.15 $12.15

21.07%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.59 $2.59

-4.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$3.53 $3.53

4.53%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.96 $1.96

30.10%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

$111 $111

-32.09%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.92 $2.92

12.67%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.59 $1.59

-10.06%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$42.42 $42.42

-41.73%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.82 $0.82

32.93%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$25.0K $25.0K

26.99%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$24.4K $24.4K

8.53%

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

$183 $183

$181 $181

1.35%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$59.5 $59.5

3.85%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$68.9 $68.9

-5.64%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$42.55 $42.55

78.80%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$15.09 $15.09

-2.25%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$1,834 $1,834

12.14%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$14.3K $14.3K

169.79%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$62.1 $62.1

2.95%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$55.2 $55.2

-6.54%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$109 $109

-10.73%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$133 $133

10.69%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,631 $1,631

44.01%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,354 $1,354

16.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,629 $2,629

79.07%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,219 $2,219

22.38%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$3,061 $3,061

29.89%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,129 $2,129

23.60%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$4,022 $4,022

17.44%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Manalapan Township, NJ: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,631 in Manalapan Township, NJ. 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 17% 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $91 in Manalapan Township, NJ. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $448 in Manalapan Township, 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 Manalapan Township, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,827 in Manalapan Township, NJ – roughly 8% 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 $4,241 in Manalapan Township, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Interestingly, groceries are about 0% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $100 in Chicago, IL and $91.0 in Manalapan Township, NJ. 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 $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $2,827 in Manalapan Township, 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 $2,827 in Manalapan Township, 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 Manalapan Township, 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.