Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Mount Vernon, NY Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Mount Vernon, NY

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,651 in Mount Vernon, NY, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,900 in Mount Vernon, NY, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,148 in Mount Vernon, NY, rent included.

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

Both Chicago, IL and Mount Vernon, NY sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Mount Vernon, NY by 98%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$20.40 $20.40

1.32%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$102 $102

-1.02%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.48 $12.48

-4.97%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$6.12 $6.12

-9.48%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.43 $2.43

25.93%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.88 $1.88

31.91%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$7.85 $7.85

-11.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$9.17 $9.17

-11.34%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.28 $1.28

-18.75%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$3.86 $3.86

1.30%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$5.31 $5.31

2.07%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$4.80 $4.80

-6.67%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$17.33 $17.33

-16.21%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$11.92 $11.92

27.60%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$17.47 $17.47

10.19%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.82 $4.82

11.83%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$2.55 $2.55

-33.73%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$4.00 $4.00

8.00%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$4.22 $4.22

6.87%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$3.81 $3.81

-32.81%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$4.08 $4.08

-33.82%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.38 $2.38

1.26%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.45 $2.45

6.94%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$11.94 $11.94

25.80%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$15.16 $15.16

-2.97%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.74 $1.74

42.53%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$3.82 $3.82

-3.40%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.95 $1.95

30.77%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$5.08 $5.08

-35.24%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$2.08 $2.08

-31.25%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$24.20 $24.20

2.15%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.98 $0.98

11.22%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$35.6K $35.6K

-10.80%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.8K $25.8K

2.50%

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

$183 $183

$124 $124

47.67%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$45.17 $45.17

36.88%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$65.1 $65.1

-0.08%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$42.21 $42.21

80.24%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$16.69 $16.69

-11.62%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$2,209 $2,209

-6.89%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$23.3K $23.3K

65.25%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$66.8 $66.8

-4.31%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$47.44 $47.44

8.75%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$75.1 $75.1

29.46%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$136 $136

7.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,600 $1,600

46.86%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,345 $1,345

17.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,623 $2,623

79.48%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,235 $2,235

21.48%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$2,423 $2,423

64.09%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,018 $2,018

30.43%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.44

2.48%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Mount Vernon, NY: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,600 in Mount Vernon, NY. 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $101 in Mount Vernon, NY. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $438 in Mount Vernon, NY – so Mount Vernon, NY 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 Mount Vernon, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,651 in Mount Vernon, NY – roughly 15% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,976 in Mount Vernon, NY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Mount Vernon, NY, 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 $101 in Mount Vernon, NY. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

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.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $2,651 in Mount Vernon, NY. 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 $2,651 in Mount Vernon, NY to $3,051 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Mount Vernon, NY. 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.