Last update: Oct 2026

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

For one person, living is cheaper in Montross, VA: $2,817 a month against $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $2,600 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Chicago, IL outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

147

Cost of Living Index in Chicago, IL
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Chicago, IL Living Index
134

Cost of Living Index in Montross, VA
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Montross, VA Living Index

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Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 United States

$3,037

/mo nomad

Montross, VA

🇺🇸 United States

$2,817

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chicago, IL and in Montross, VA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chicago, IL and in Montross, VA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,037 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,817 in Montross, VA, rent included.

Chicago, IL $3,037
Montross, VA $2,817

A couple spends around $4,518 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,215 in Montross, VA, rent included.

Chicago, IL $4,518
Montross, VA $4,215

A family of three spends $5,999 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,614 in Montross, VA, rent included.

Chicago, IL $5,999
Montross, VA $5,614

Chicago, IL costs about 8% more than Montross, VA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both Chicago, IL and Montross, VA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 123%, Montross, VA by 107%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.71 $20.71

$24.42 $24.42

-15.19%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$89.2 $89.2

$98.2 $98.2

-9.12%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.19 $13.19

$11.06 $11.06

19.26%

Cappuccino

$5.66 $5.66

$5.98 $5.98

-5.35%

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

$2.64 $2.64

$3.06 $3.06

-13.73%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.43 $2.43

-6.17%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$8.11 $8.11

-15.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.84 $8.84

$8.78 $8.78

0.68%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 $1.25

$1.26 $1.26

-0.79%

White Bread (500g)

$3.72 $3.72

$4.49 $4.49

-17.15%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$5.30 $5.30

1.70%

Eggs

$4.74 $4.74

$5.07 $5.07

-6.51%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.84 $13.84

$21.67 $21.67

-36.13%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$15.51 $15.51

-7.16%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.38 $18.38

$22.40 $22.40

-17.95%

Apples (1kg)

$5.22 $5.22

$5.55 $5.55

-5.95%

Banana (1kg)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.83 $1.83

8.20%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$4.54 $4.54

-10.57%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.97 $4.97

$5.76 $5.76

-13.72%

Potato (1kg)

$2.67 $2.67

$3.15 $3.15

-15.24%

Onion (1kg)

$2.66 $2.66

$3.70 $3.70

-28.11%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.24 $2.24

$2.28 $2.28

-1.75%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.13 $3.13

$2.57 $2.57

21.79%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.82 $13.82

$9.91 $9.91

39.46%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.88 $14.88

$16.82 $16.82

-11.53%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.86 $2.86

-11.19%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.51 $3.51

$2.83 $2.83

24.03%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$2.01 $2.01

20.90%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.5 $73.5

$66.2 $66.2

11.12%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.93 $3.93

-19.08%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.39 $1.39

$1.26 $1.26

10.32%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.03 $25.03

$24.97 $24.97

0.24%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$1.01 $1.01

18.81%

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

$35.0K $35.0K

$28.6K $28.6K

22.63%

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

$26.7K $26.7K

$25.4K $25.4K

4.99%

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

$194 $194

$164 $164

18.89%

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

$69.5 $69.5

$52.4 $52.4

32.54%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.6 $61.6

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.90 $47.90

$41.84 $41.84

14.48%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.34 $27.34

Cinema Ticket

$17.81 $17.81

$16.59 $16.59

7.35%

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

$1,794 $1,794

$1,625 $1,625

10.36%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

$35.5K $35.5K

-9.96%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.0 $67.0

$54.6 $54.6

22.66%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.1 $52.1

$63.2 $63.2

-17.46%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 $102

$103 $103

-1.66%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$163 $163

-11.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,526 $2,526

$1,612 $1,612

56.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,578 $1,578

$1,321 $1,321

19.42%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,738 $4,738

$2,500 $2,500

89.55%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,693 $2,693

$2,155 $2,155

24.99%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,190 $4,190

$2,749 $2,749

52.41%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,768 $2,768

$2,413 $2,413

14.71%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,931 $4,931

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.81

6.79

0.29%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 25, 2026

Last update for Montross, VA: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Chicago, IL

$1.6K 52%

Montross, VA

$1.3K 46.9% 16.3% $257

Groceries & Markets

Chicago, IL

$447 14.7%

Montross, VA

$505 17.9% 12.8% $57

Eating Out

Chicago, IL

$345 11.4%

Montross, VA

$380 13.5% 10.3% $35

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Chicago, IL

$326 10.7%

Montross, VA

$278 9.9% 14.7% $48

Clothing & Footwear

Chicago, IL

$164 5.4%

Montross, VA

$173 6.1% 5.4% $8.9

Getting Around

Chicago, IL

$93 3.1%

Montross, VA

$84 3% 9.5% $8.9

Sport & Entertainment

Chicago, IL

$84 2.8%

Montross, VA

$75 2.7% 10.2% $8.5

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,526 in Chicago, IL versus $1,612 in Montross, VA. 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 $89 in Chicago, IL versus $98 in Montross, VA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $505 – making Chicago, IL the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 Montross, VA

🕒 Local time

00:03 12:03 AM

01:03 1:03 AM

1 h ahead of Chicago, IL

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

2,746,388

400

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.896 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Between locations

Chicago, IL Montross, VA 1,010 km ≈ 1 h 45 min nonstop flight

From you

Chicago, IL
Montross, VA

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Montross, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,037 in Chicago, IL, $2,817 in Montross, VA – Montross, VA comes out roughly 7% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in utilities.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,555 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,225 in Montross, VA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Montross, VA, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,612 there versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL.

Interestingly, groceries are about 11% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89 in Chicago, IL and $98 in Montross, VA. 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 $3,037 in Chicago, IL and $2,817 in Montross, VA. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Montross, VA – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.