Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and New Bern, NC Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and New Bern, NC

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,017 in New Bern, NC, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,601 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,384 in New Bern, NC, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,085 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,750 in New Bern, NC, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 55% more than New Bern, NC, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and New Bern, NC sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 134%, New Bern, NC by 51%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.18 $20.18

$16.49 $16.49

22.38%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$94.3 $94.3

7.26%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.09 $12.09

$11.40 $11.40

6.05%

Cappuccino

$5.75 $5.75

$4.71 $4.71

22.08%

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

$2.98 $2.98

$2.73 $2.73

9.16%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.22 $2.22

10.81%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.04 $7.04

$4.52 $4.52

55.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.27 $8.27

$7.94 $7.94

4.16%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.98 $0.98

10.20%

White Bread (500g)

$4.14 $4.14

$3.16 $3.16

31.01%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.38 $5.38

$4.76 $4.76

13.03%

Eggs

$4.52 $4.52

$3.58 $3.58

26.26%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.25 $14.25

$13.73 $13.73

3.79%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.04 $15.04

$8.79 $8.79

71.10%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.84 $18.84

$15.00 $15.00

25.60%

Apples (1kg)

$5.13 $5.13

$5.01 $5.01

2.40%

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.28 $1.28

32.81%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$3.32 $3.32

27.71%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.43 $4.43

$5.40 $5.40

-17.96%

Potato (1kg)

$2.57 $2.57

$2.31 $2.31

11.26%

Onion (1kg)

$2.73 $2.73

$2.81 $2.81

-2.85%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.89 $1.89

33.33%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.21 $2.21

18.55%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.91 $14.91

$9.97 $9.97

49.55%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.19 $15.19

$12.93 $12.93

17.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.08 $2.08

18.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$1.99 $1.99

87.94%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.97 $1.97

25.89%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.6 $73.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.31 $3.31

$3.60 $3.60

-8.06%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$2.35 $2.35

-42.13%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.06 $25.06

$32.49 $32.49

-22.87%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.79 $0.79

32.91%

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

$32.6K $32.6K

$20.4K $20.4K

60.01%

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

$26.5K $26.5K

$21.9K $21.9K

20.99%

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

$187 $187

$142 $142

32.13%

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

$63.6 $63.6

$63.9 $63.9

-0.49%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.0 $66.0

$68.0 $68.0

-2.97%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.1 $77.1

$55.8 $55.8

38.26%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.92 $12.92

Cinema Ticket

$15.15 $15.15

$10.06 $10.06

50.60%

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

$2,029 $2,029

$1,314 $1,314

54.47%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.7K $38.7K

$23.8K $23.8K

62.72%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.5 $63.5

$33.85 $33.85

87.68%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.1 $52.1

$25.32 $25.32

105.65%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.1 $96.1

$66.9 $66.9

43.66%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$96.6 $96.6

53.01%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,343 $2,343

$1,115 $1,115

110.03%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,623 $1,623

$887 $887

82.94%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,601 $4,601

$2,411 $2,411

90.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,774 $2,774

$2,111 $2,111

31.43%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,933 $3,933

$2,039 $2,039

92.90%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,562 $2,562

$2,056 $2,056

24.62%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,176 $5,176

$3,642 $3,642

42.11%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.36

3.77%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 14, 2026

Last update for New Bern, NC: June 15, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,343 in Chicago, IL versus $1,115 in New Bern, 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 42% 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 $101 in Chicago, IL versus $94.0 in New Bern, NC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $446 vs $365 – making New Bern, 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 New Bern, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,017 in New Bern, NC – roughly 55% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,675 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,026 in New Bern, NC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in New Bern, 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 $101 in Chicago, IL and $94.0 in New Bern, NC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 22% 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 $2,500 monthly budget goes further in New Bern, NC, where all-in costs run around $2,017, than in Chicago, IL at $3,117. In New Bern, 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 $2,017 in New Bern, NC to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with New Bern, 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.