😐A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,993 in New Bern, NC, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $4,593 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,323 in New Bern, NC, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $6,177 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,652 in New Bern, NC, rent included.
😐Chicago, IL costs about 51% 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 125%, New Bern, NC by 49%.
Moneda
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
New Bern, NC
Diferencia
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.35$20.35
$16.57$16.57
22.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$102$102
$94.6$94.6
7.47%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.98$11.98
$11.65$11.65
2.83%
Cappuccino
$5.70$5.70
$4.56$4.56
25.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00$3.00
$2.69$2.69
11.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.46$2.46
$2.22$2.22
10.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.87$6.87
$4.56$4.56
50.66%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.09$8.09
$7.95$7.95
1.76%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
New Bern, NC
Diferencia
Milk(1 liter)
$1.03$1.03
$0.97$0.97
6.19%
White Bread(500g)
$3.95$3.95
$3.32$3.32
18.98%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.42$5.42
$4.57$4.57
18.60%
Eggs
$4.50$4.50
$3.43$3.43
31.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.53$14.53
$13.72$13.72
5.90%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.89$14.89
$9.00$9.00
65.44%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.98$18.98
$15.23$15.23
24.62%
Apples(1kg)
$5.39$5.39
$5.19$5.19
3.85%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77$1.77
$1.22$1.22
45.08%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.35$4.35
$3.34$3.34
30.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.53$4.53
$5.33$5.33
-15.01%
Potato(1kg)
$2.53$2.53
$2.30$2.30
10.00%
Onion(1kg)
$2.81$2.81
$2.81$2.81
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.51$2.51
$1.90$1.90
32.11%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.67$2.67
$2.25$2.25
18.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.88$14.88
$10.18$10.18
46.17%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.22$15.22
$12.62$12.62
20.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.46$2.46
$2.04$2.04
20.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53$3.53
$1.91$1.91
84.82%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
New Bern, NC
Diferencia
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.56$2.56
$2.03$2.03
26.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$74.3$74.3
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.19$3.19
$3.43$3.43
-7.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.41$1.41
$2.26$2.26
-37.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$25.49$25.49
$32.29$32.29
-21.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.04$1.04
$0.75$0.75
38.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.2K$32.2K
$19.6K$19.6K
64.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8K$26.8K
$21.3K$21.3K
25.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
New Bern, NC
Diferencia
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$184$184
$145$145
27.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.1$63.1
$63.3$63.3
-0.33%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.4$66.4
$68.2$68.2
-2.58%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
New Bern, NC
Diferencia
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$75.9$75.9
$56.0$56.0
35.63%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.06$13.06
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.25$15.25
$10.09$10.09
51.14%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
New Bern, NC
Diferencia
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,090$2,090
$1,279$1,279
63.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$39.2K$39.2K
$23.9K$23.9K
64.38%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
New Bern, NC
Diferencia
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.2$64.2
$34.25$34.25
87.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.0$51.0
$25.49$25.49
100.08%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.2$97.2
$68.2$68.2
42.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$149$149
$96.4$96.4
54.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
New Bern, NC
Diferencia
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,341$2,341
$1,122$1,122
108.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,572$1,572
$884$884
77.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,741$4,741
$2,474$2,474
91.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,819$2,819
$2,134$2,134
32.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,900$3,900
$2,068$2,068
88.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,638$2,638
$2,046$2,046
28.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
New Bern, NC
Diferencia
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,769$4,769
$3,261$3,261
46.24%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.6
6.36
3.77%
Los datos de CityCost se basan en IA y aportaciones de usuarios. Puede haber pequeñas variaciones.
Última actualización para Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026
Última actualización para New Bern, NC: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $1,122 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 46% 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $95.0 in New Bern, NC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $366 – making New Bern, NC the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
Comparación de velocidades medias de internet por ciudad (actualizado April 2026)
El gráfico resalta el umbral de precisión para velocidades de internet móvil y fija, actualizado trimestralmente.
Índice del coste de vida para nómadas digitales
Chicago, IL vs New Bern, NC: Coste de vida - preguntas frecuentes
How do living costs in Chicago, IL and New Bern, NC compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $1,993 in New Bern, NC – roughly 51% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Chicago, IL compared to New Bern, NC?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,990 in New Bern, NC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Chicago, IL and New Bern, NC?
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.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $102 in Chicago, IL and $95.0 in New Bern, NC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
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.
Which city is more doable on $2,500 per month?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in New Bern, NC, where all-in costs run around $1,993, than in Chicago, IL at $3,009. In New Bern, NC it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Chicago, IL and New Bern, NC?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,993 in New Bern, NC to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Chicago, IL and New Bern, NC?
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.
Chicago, IL vs otros destinos: coste de vida comparado