Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Mansfield, OH Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Mansfield, OH

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,893 in Mansfield, OH, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,650 in Mansfield, OH, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,406 in Mansfield, OH, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 64% more than Mansfield, OH, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Mansfield, OH sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Mansfield, OH by 38%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Mansfield, OH
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.86 $19.86
$14.64 $14.64
35.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.3 $88.3
$66.2 $66.2
33.44%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.23 $13.23
$9.87 $9.87
34.04%
Cappuccino
$5.86 $5.86
$4.11 $4.11
42.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61 $2.61
$2.32 $2.32
12.50%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32 $2.32
$1.83 $1.83
26.78%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.03 $7.03
$3.60 $3.60
95.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.25 $9.25
$5.10 $5.10
81.37%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Mansfield, OH
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.34 $1.34
$0.80 $0.80
67.50%
White Bread (500g)
$4.19 $4.19
$2.80 $2.80
49.64%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.50 $5.50
$3.94 $3.94
39.59%
Eggs
$4.71 $4.71
$2.70 $2.70
74.44%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.72 $14.72
$13.04 $13.04
12.88%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.53 $14.53
$22.03 $22.03
-34.04%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.69 $19.69
$16.47 $16.47
19.55%
Apples (1kg)
$5.64 $5.64
$4.86 $4.86
16.05%
Banana (1kg)
$1.97 $1.97
$1.71 $1.71
15.20%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.04 $4.04
$7.23 $7.23
-44.12%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.07 $5.07
$5.41 $5.41
-6.28%
Potato (1kg)
$2.94 $2.94
$2.98 $2.98
-1.34%
Onion (1kg)
$2.92 $2.92
$3.17 $3.17
-7.89%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.28 $2.28
$2.33 $2.33
-2.15%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.12 $3.12
$2.73 $2.73
14.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$16.19 $16.19
$10.09 $10.09
60.46%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.17 $15.17
$18.94 $18.94
-19.90%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.67 $2.67
$1.46 $1.46
82.88%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.48 $3.48
$1.99 $1.99
74.87%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Mansfield, OH
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.54 $2.54
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$76.0 $76.0
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.16 $3.16
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.37 $1.37
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.66 $22.66
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.20 $1.20
$1.03 $1.03
16.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.0K $37.0K
$35.7K $35.7K
3.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.0K $26.0K
$25.6K $25.6K
1.70%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Mansfield, OH
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$190 $190
$201 $201
-5.52%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$68.5 $68.5
$51.7 $51.7
32.58%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.1 $61.1
$57.9 $57.9
5.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Mansfield, OH
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$63.8 $63.8
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.80 $27.80
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$18.28 $18.28
$13.74 $13.74
33.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Mansfield, OH
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,525 $1,525
$535 $535
184.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$32.0K $32.0K
$6,606 $6,606
384.41%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Mansfield, OH
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.0 $64.0
$39.08 $39.08
63.82%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.4 $54.4
$47.78 $47.78
13.86%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$101 $101
$71.0 $71.0
41.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$153 $153
$123 $123
24.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Mansfield, OH
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,421 $2,421
$796 $796
204.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,690 $1,690
$695 $695
143.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,584 $4,584
$1,310 $1,310
249.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,782 $2,782
$915 $915
204.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,170 $4,170
$1,535 $1,535
171.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,739 $2,739
$1,530 $1,530
78.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Mansfield, OH
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,777 $4,777
$3,350 $3,350
42.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.38
6.15
3.74%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Last update for Mansfield, OH: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $796 in Mansfield, OH. 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 43% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $66.0 in Mansfield, OH. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $458 – making Mansfield, OH 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 Mansfield, OH: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Chicago, IL and in Mansfield, OH compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $1,893 in Mansfield, OH – roughly 64% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Chicago, IL compared to Mansfield, OH?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,839 in Mansfield, OH. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Chicago, IL and Mansfield, OH?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mansfield, OH, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $66.0 in Mansfield, OH. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 2% 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.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Mansfield, OH, where all-in costs run around $1,893, than in Chicago, IL at $3,106. In Mansfield, OH it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Chicago, IL and Mansfield, OH?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,893 in Mansfield, OH to $3,106 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Chicago, IL and Mansfield, OH?
If budget matters most, go with Mansfield, OH. 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.

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