Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Mooresville, NC Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Mooresville, NC

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,386 in Mooresville, NC, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,426 in Mooresville, NC, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,467 in Mooresville, NC, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 28% more than Mooresville, NC, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Mooresville, NC sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Mooresville, NC by 78%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$24.67 $24.67

-16.21%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$74.4 $74.4

35.10%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$11.22 $11.22

5.70%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.20 $2.20

39.09%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.47 $1.47

68.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$4.05 $4.05

70.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$4.48 $4.48

81.47%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.02 $1.02

1.96%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$3.72 $3.72

5.11%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$2.79 $2.79

94.27%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$3.03 $3.03

47.85%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$8.58 $8.58

69.23%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$7.60 $7.60

100.13%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$14.06 $14.06

36.91%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$3.45 $3.45

56.23%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.34 $1.34

26.12%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$3.81 $3.81

13.39%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$5.48 $5.48

-17.70%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.82 $2.82

-9.22%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.25 $3.25

-16.92%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.03 $2.03

18.72%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.61 $1.61

62.73%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$6.84 $6.84

119.59%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$15.20 $15.20

-3.22%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.65 $1.65

50.30%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$2.99 $2.99

23.41%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.01 $2.01

26.87%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$3.52 $3.52

-6.53%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.49 $1.49

-4.03%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$18.29 $18.29

35.16%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.76 $0.76

43.42%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$34.5K $34.5K

-8.06%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.0K $25.0K

5.95%

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

$183 $183

$154 $154

18.88%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$39.04 $39.04

58.38%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$49.21 $49.21

32.17%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$44.34 $44.34

71.58%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$13.28 $13.28

11.07%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$1,177 $1,177

74.73%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$9,805 $9,805

292.70%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$46.70 $46.70

36.90%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$46.59 $46.59

10.73%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$90.0 $90.0

8.13%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$141 $141

4.71%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,404 $1,404

67.30%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,178 $1,178

34.20%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,007 $2,007

134.63%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$1,902 $1,902

42.75%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$2,815 $2,815

41.23%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,258 $2,258

16.56%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$3,548 $3,548

33.14%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.59

0.15%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Mooresville, NC: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,404 in Mooresville, NC. 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 33% 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 $74 in Mooresville, NC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $332 – making Mooresville, NC 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 Mooresville, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,386 in Mooresville, NC – roughly 28% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,578 in Mooresville, NC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Mooresville, NC, 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 $74.0 in Mooresville, NC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 35% 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.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $2,386 in Mooresville, NC. 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 $2,386 in Mooresville, NC to $3,051 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Mooresville, NC. 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.