Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Manassas, VA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Manassas, VA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,018 in Manassas, VA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,576 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,256 in Manassas, VA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,143 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,493 in Manassas, VA, rent included.

Chicago, IL and Manassas, VA have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Chicago, IL and Manassas, VA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Manassas, VA by 127%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.27 $20.27

$20.25 $20.25

0.10%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$91.8 $91.8

9.83%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.04 $12.04

$13.02 $13.02

-7.53%

Cappuccino

$5.76 $5.76

$5.86 $5.86

-1.71%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.82 $2.82

5.32%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 $2.38

$2.35 $2.35

1.28%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.20 $7.20

$6.16 $6.16

16.88%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.05 $8.05

$7.68 $7.68

4.82%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.91 $0.91

19.78%

White Bread (500g)

$4.12 $4.12

$3.54 $3.54

16.38%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$7.08 $7.08

-25.28%

Eggs

$4.56 $4.56

$5.33 $5.33

-14.45%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.45 $14.45

$19.09 $19.09

-24.31%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.79 $14.79

$10.08 $10.08

46.73%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.56 $19.56

$17.58 $17.58

11.26%

Apples (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$7.20 $7.20

-24.72%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.74 $1.74

-1.72%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.18 $4.18

$8.06 $8.06

-48.14%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$6.51 $6.51

-29.49%

Potato (1kg)

$2.48 $2.48

$4.82 $4.82

-48.55%

Onion (1kg)

$2.72 $2.72

$3.75 $3.75

-27.47%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.23 $2.23

10.76%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.72 $2.72

$2.48 $2.48

9.68%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.78 $14.78

$8.17 $8.17

80.91%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.30 $15.30

$14.09 $14.09

8.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$1.77 $1.77

32.77%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$3.68 $3.68

1.63%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.05 $2.05

20.49%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.0 $74.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$4.44 $4.44

-25.23%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.41 $1.41

-2.84%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.65 $24.65

$29.67 $29.67

-16.92%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.88 $0.88

19.32%

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

$32.4K $32.4K

$29.1K $29.1K

11.29%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$24.2K $24.2K

7.93%

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

$186 $186

$210 $210

-11.47%

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

$62.6 $62.6

$56.2 $56.2

11.37%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.5 $67.5

$68.3 $68.3

-1.23%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$39.57 $39.57

90.07%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.38 $13.38

Cinema Ticket

$15.10 $15.10

$15.29 $15.29

-1.24%

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

$2,023 $2,023

$1,738 $1,738

16.41%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$24.2K $24.2K

64.63%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$47.36 $47.36

35.64%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$47.97 $47.97

6.69%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.2 $96.2

$115 $115

-16.11%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$119 $119

23.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,329 $2,329

$1,883 $1,883

23.67%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,570 $1,570

$1,729 $1,729

-9.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,677 $4,677

$3,112 $3,112

50.30%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,810 $2,810

$2,430 $2,430

15.61%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,082 $4,082

$2,640 $2,640

54.63%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,645 $2,645

$2,515 $2,515

5.14%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,883 $4,883

$4,857 $4,857

0.54%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.57

0.46%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 27, 2026

Last update for Manassas, VA: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,329 in Chicago, IL versus $1,883 in Manassas, VA. 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 1% higher in Chicago, IL. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Chicago, IL versus $92.0 in Manassas, VA. Groceries tell a different story – $450 in Chicago, IL vs $471 in Manassas, VA – 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 Manassas, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,527 in Manassas, VA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $2,023 per month in Chicago, IL and $1,738 in Manassas, VA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 5% more in Manassas, VA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $3,018 in Manassas, VA. 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 $3,009 in Chicago, IL to $3,018 in Manassas, VA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Manassas, VA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.