Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Mount Pleasant, SC Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Mount Pleasant, SC

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,084 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,685 in Mount Pleasant, SC, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,637 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,946 in Mount Pleasant, SC, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,191 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,207 in Mount Pleasant, SC, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 15% more than Mount Pleasant, SC, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Mount Pleasant, SC sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Mount Pleasant, SC by 101%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.81 $20.81

$28.79 $28.79

-27.72%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.6 $98.6

$79.5 $79.5

24.05%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.90 $11.90

$9.99 $9.99

19.12%

Cappuccino

$5.84 $5.84

$4.87 $4.87

19.92%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.49 $2.49

23.29%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$1.88 $1.88

25.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$5.94 $5.94

15.66%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.07 $8.07

$7.82 $7.82

3.20%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.00 $1.00

5.00%

White Bread (500g)

$3.98 $3.98

$3.79 $3.79

5.01%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.60 $5.60

$3.20 $3.20

75.00%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$4.49 $4.49

1.34%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.20 $14.20

$14.21 $14.21

-0.07%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.90 $14.90

$14.92 $14.92

-0.13%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.08 $19.08

$16.95 $16.95

12.57%

Apples (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$5.56 $5.56

-4.50%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.66 $1.66

3.01%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$6.40 $6.40

-33.75%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$3.93 $3.93

11.20%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$3.78 $3.78

-32.28%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.75 $2.75

1.82%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.77 $1.77

39.55%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.70 $2.70

$1.86 $1.86

45.16%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.95 $14.95

$7.60 $7.60

96.71%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$15.66 $15.66

-5.94%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.86 $1.86

27.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$3.25 $3.25

9.85%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.44 $2.44

$1.95 $1.95

25.13%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.2 $75.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.35 $3.35

$2.95 $2.95

13.56%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.58 $1.58

-13.29%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.29 $25.29

$20.25 $20.25

24.89%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.80 $0.80

36.25%

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

$32.3K $32.3K

$32.6K $32.6K

-0.91%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.2K $25.2K

5.04%

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

$188 $188

$140 $140

34.26%

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

$63.3 $63.3

$65.6 $65.6

-3.57%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$72.2 $72.2

-8.28%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.6 $75.6

$42.24 $42.24

78.88%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.20 $13.20

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$13.19 $13.19

12.21%

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

$2,097 $2,097

$1,333 $1,333

57.32%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$24.6K $24.6K

56.58%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.9 $64.9

$49.65 $49.65

30.65%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$35.96 $35.96

43.46%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.3 $96.3

$95.6 $95.6

0.67%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$146 $146

$153 $153

-4.67%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,332 $2,332

$1,570 $1,570

48.54%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,579 $1,579

$1,367 $1,367

15.49%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,775 $4,775

$2,671 $2,671

78.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,725 $2,725

$2,197 $2,197

24.04%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,023 $4,023

$2,902 $2,902

38.64%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,684 $2,684

$2,490 $2,490

7.80%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,981 $4,981

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 20, 2026

Last update for Mount Pleasant, SC: July 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,332 in Chicago, IL versus $1,570 in Mount Pleasant, SC. 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $79.0 in Mount Pleasant, SC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $445 vs $423 – making Mount Pleasant, SC 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 Mount Pleasant, SC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,084 in Chicago, IL, $2,685 in Mount Pleasant, SC – roughly 15% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,626 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,028 in Mount Pleasant, SC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Mount Pleasant, SC, 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $79.0 in Mount Pleasant, SC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 5% 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 $3,084 in Chicago, IL and $2,685 in Mount Pleasant, SC. 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 $2,685 in Mount Pleasant, SC to $3,084 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Mount Pleasant, SC. 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.