Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and New Castle, PA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and New Castle, PA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,542 in New Castle, PA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,782 in New Castle, PA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,021 in New Castle, PA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 21% more than New Castle, PA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and New Castle, PA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, New Castle, PA by 90%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$18.86 $18.86

10.87%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$73.6 $73.6

33.33%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$10.78 $10.78

10.02%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.95 $4.95

13.13%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.58 $2.58

18.99%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.96 $1.96

26.02%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$6.02 $6.02

18.60%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.18 $7.18

12.53%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.03 $1.03

1.94%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.59 $3.59

14.48%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.47 $4.47

25.50%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.11 $4.11

9.73%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$11.71 $11.71

21.86%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$12.82 $12.82

16.15%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$15.21 $15.21

26.17%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$5.93 $5.93

-13.32%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.56 $1.56

13.46%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.18 $4.18

5.02%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.64 $4.64

-1.72%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.91 $2.91

-12.71%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.91 $2.91

-5.50%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.09 $2.09

15.79%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.11 $2.11

24.17%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$9.53 $9.53

56.56%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$13.73 $13.73

7.79%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.78 $1.78

38.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.28 $3.28

13.72%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.05 $2.05

20.98%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.60 $3.60

-11.67%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.61 $1.61

-11.80%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$28.78 $28.78

-13.34%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.84 $0.84

26.19%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$29.8K $29.8K

7.09%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.3K $25.3K

2.95%

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

$185 $185

0.06%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$52.7 $52.7

17.13%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.41 $42.41

77.25%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$13.72 $13.72

7.22%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,318 $1,318

53.24%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$23.0K $23.0K

71.33%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$50.7 $50.7

27.36%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$40.17 $40.17

30.57%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$87.2 $87.2

12.14%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$112 $112

31.67%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,629 $1,629

41.97%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,378 $1,378

15.37%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,585 $2,585

78.24%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,190 $2,190

26.86%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,922 $2,922

34.23%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,449 $2,449

6.66%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for New Castle, PA: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,629 in New Castle, PA. 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $74.0 in New Castle, PA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $395 – making New Castle, PA 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 Castle, PA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,542 in New Castle, PA – roughly 21% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,813 in New Castle, PA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in New Castle, PA, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $74.0 in New Castle, PA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 13% 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,542 in New Castle, PA. 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 $2,542 in New Castle, PA to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with New Castle, PA. 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.