Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and New Britain, CT Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and New Britain, CT

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,512 in New Britain, CT, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,961 in New Britain, CT, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,409 in New Britain, CT, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 24% more than New Britain, CT, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and New Britain, CT sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, New Britain, CT by 84%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$17.82 $17.82

11.78%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$96.1 $96.1

-7.96%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$13.29 $13.29

-2.63%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.33 $5.33

3.94%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.97 $2.97

-7.74%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.78 $2.78

-15.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$5.11 $5.11

39.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$7.79 $7.79

12.07%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.05 $1.05

27.62%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.91 $3.91

6.65%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$5.35 $5.35

7.10%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$4.81 $4.81

1.66%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$11.41 $11.41

29.45%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$14.05 $14.05

5.69%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$17.54 $17.54

11.80%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$6.90 $6.90

-19.28%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.73 $1.73

10.98%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$6.79 $6.79

-38.59%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$5.51 $5.51

-11.80%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.77 $2.77

2.53%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$4.53 $4.53

-38.19%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.96 $2.96

-25.68%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.39 $2.39

28.03%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$13.23 $13.23

22.15%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$13.63 $13.63

8.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.17 $2.17

16.59%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$4.29 $4.29

-21.91%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.71 $1.71

49.12%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$3.23 $3.23

2.17%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.74 $1.74

-21.84%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$27.28 $27.28

-7.92%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.00 $1.00

17.00%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$37.4K $37.4K

-3.76%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$26.0K $26.0K

0.68%

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

$191 $191

$313 $313

-38.93%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$106 $106

-35.89%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$54.0 $54.0

14.18%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$42.21 $42.21

50.37%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$15.08 $15.08

19.50%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$986 $986

54.38%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$30.2K $30.2K

3.80%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$55.8 $55.8

14.04%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$37.85 $37.85

45.97%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$79.1 $79.1

27.03%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$99.4 $99.4

54.20%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,088 $1,088

121.13%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,109 $1,109

49.02%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,494 $2,494

83.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$2,145 $2,145

29.19%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$2,824 $2,824

42.72%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$2,351 $2,351

16.78%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$4,075 $4,075

17.89%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

27.60%

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 Britain, CT: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,088 in New Britain, CT. 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 18% 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 $96.0 in New Britain, CT. Groceries tell a different story – $464 in Chicago, IL vs $452 in New Britain, CT – so New Britain, CT 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 New Britain, CT: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,512 in New Britain, CT – roughly 24% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,769 in New Britain, CT. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in New Britain, CT, 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 $96.0 in New Britain, CT. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 3% 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 Britain, CT, where all-in costs run around $2,512, than in Chicago, IL at $3,117. In New Britain, CT 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 $2,512 in New Britain, CT to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with New Britain, CT. 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.