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 $2,052 in New Bern, NC, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,325 in New Bern, NC, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,598 in New Bern, NC, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 52% 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 128%, New Bern, NC by 50%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$17.69 $17.69

12.61%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$83.8 $83.8

5.63%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$11.85 $11.85

9.20%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.05 $5.05

9.70%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.93 $2.93

-6.48%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.38 $2.38

-0.84%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$5.89 $5.89

20.88%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$6.83 $6.83

27.82%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.89 $0.89

50.56%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.34 $3.34

24.85%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$5.12 $5.12

11.91%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$3.40 $3.40

43.82%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$12.73 $12.73

16.03%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$10.69 $10.69

38.91%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$14.98 $14.98

30.91%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$5.13 $5.13

8.58%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.29 $1.29

48.84%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$2.90 $2.90

43.79%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$5.40 $5.40

-10.00%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.82 $2.82

0.71%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.84 $2.84

-1.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.81 $1.81

21.55%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.27 $2.27

34.80%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$7.51 $7.51

115.18%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$12.52 $12.52

18.37%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.87 $1.87

35.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$2.10 $2.10

59.52%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$3.44 $3.44

-4.07%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$2.22 $2.22

-38.74%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$32.89 $32.89

-23.62%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.78 $0.78

50.00%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$28.1K $28.1K

28.22%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$23.8K $23.8K

10.22%

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

$191 $191

$157 $157

21.49%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$72.2 $72.2

-5.88%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$68.5 $68.5

-9.94%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$55.8 $55.8

13.66%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$11.10 $11.10

62.34%

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

$1,522 $1,522

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$60.4 $60.4

5.36%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$34.50 $34.50

60.14%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$84.1 $84.1

19.40%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$88.7 $88.7

72.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,154 $1,154

108.57%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$891 $891

85.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,163 $2,163

111.55%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$1,902 $1,902

45.68%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$2,050 $2,050

96.62%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$2,034 $2,034

34.98%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$3,657 $3,657

31.38%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

5.7

11.93%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for New Bern, NC: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,154 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 31% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $84.0 in New Bern, NC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $372 – 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, $2,052 in New Bern, NC – roughly 52% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,079 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $84.0 in New Bern, NC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,052 in New Bern, NC. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in New Bern, NC, where all-in costs run around $2,052, 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 $2,052 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.