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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,541 in Morrisville, NC, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,505 in Morrisville, NC, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,468 in Morrisville, NC, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 21% more than Morrisville, NC, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Morrisville, NC sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Morrisville, NC by 90%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$19.61 $19.61

6.63%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$100 $100

-2.06%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$9.92 $9.92

19.56%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.22 $5.22

7.28%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.17 $2.17

41.47%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.95 $1.95

26.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.07 $5.07

40.83%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$5.90 $5.90

36.95%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.87 $0.87

20.69%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$4.15 $4.15

-0.96%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$3.28 $3.28

71.04%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$5.32 $5.32

-15.23%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$9.03 $9.03

58.03%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$11.63 $11.63

28.03%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$15.61 $15.61

22.93%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$6.91 $6.91

-25.62%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.19 $1.19

48.74%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.86 $3.86

13.73%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.33 $4.33

5.31%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.59 $2.59

-1.93%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.76 $2.76

-0.36%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.97 $1.97

22.84%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.10 $2.10

24.76%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$7.65 $7.65

95.03%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$12.92 $12.92

14.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.06 $2.06

19.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.01 $3.01

23.92%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.02 $2.02

22.77%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$2.45 $2.45

29.80%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.54 $1.54

-7.79%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$14.71 $14.71

69.54%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.81 $0.81

30.86%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$28.1K $28.1K

13.65%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.5K $25.5K

1.95%

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

$185 $185

$162 $162

14.16%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$53.9 $53.9

14.48%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$70.3 $70.3

-4.85%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.27 $43.27

73.72%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$15.10 $15.10

-2.58%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,283 $1,283

57.50%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$24.3K $24.3K

62.27%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$51.2 $51.2

26.24%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$35.72 $35.72

46.84%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$77.2 $77.2

26.76%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$120 $120

22.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,280 $1,280

80.60%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,353 $1,353

17.49%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,630 $2,630

75.20%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$1,602 $1,602

73.46%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$3,040 $3,040

29.00%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,018 $2,018

29.46%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$5,902 $5,902

-11.60%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.53

1.07%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Morrisville, NC: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,280 in Morrisville, 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 13% higher in Morrisville, NC, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $100 in Morrisville, NC. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $384 in Morrisville, NC – so Morrisville, NC 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 Morrisville, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,541 in Morrisville, NC – roughly 21% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,811 in Morrisville, NC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Morrisville, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $100 in Morrisville, NC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 16% 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.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Morrisville, NC, where all-in costs run around $2,541, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In Morrisville, NC it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,541 in Morrisville, NC to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Morrisville, 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.