Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and New Orleans, LA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and New Orleans, LA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,111 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,626 in New Orleans, LA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,680 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,132 in New Orleans, LA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,249 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,638 in New Orleans, LA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 18% more than New Orleans, LA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and New Orleans, LA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, New Orleans, LA by 95%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$25.60 $25.60

-20.35%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$123 $123

-19.91%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

$12.17 $12.17

-0.82%

Cappuccino

$5.73 $5.73

$5.36 $5.36

6.90%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.81 $2.81

5.69%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.11 $2.11

17.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.99 $6.99

$5.88 $5.88

18.88%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$7.79 $7.79

5.39%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.34 $1.34

-21.64%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$4.10 $4.10

-0.49%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$6.31 $6.31

-12.84%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$4.36 $4.36

6.42%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$15.19 $15.19

-5.20%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.20 $15.20

$10.95 $10.95

38.81%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$14.43 $14.43

33.61%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$5.50 $5.50

-6.55%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.75 $1.75

0.57%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$4.89 $4.89

-11.25%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$5.15 $5.15

-15.34%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$3.99 $3.99

-38.85%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$3.11 $3.11

-10.29%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.16 $2.16

16.67%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.95 $2.95

-9.83%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.90 $14.90

$8.84 $8.84

68.55%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$16.75 $16.75

-10.63%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.11 $2.11

16.11%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$3.53 $3.53

0.28%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.27 $1.27

91.34%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

$45.88 $45.88

62.45%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$3.57 $3.57

-7.00%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.45 $1.45

-4.83%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.11 $25.11

$35.27 $35.27

-28.81%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.82 $0.82

32.93%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$34.9K $34.9K

-8.80%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$28.1K $28.1K

-4.72%

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

$187 $187

$235 $235

-20.47%

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

$63.5 $63.5

$59.1 $59.1

7.36%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$70.5 $70.5

-7.08%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.7 $75.7

$54.1 $54.1

39.91%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

$44.03 $44.03

-70.36%

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$12.94 $12.94

14.37%

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

$2,025 $2,025

$1,572 $1,572

28.81%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.0K $39.0K

$10.4K $10.4K

274.36%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$54.2 $54.2

18.29%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$40.57 $40.57

27.51%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$75.2 $75.2

27.11%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$114 $114

27.02%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,326 $2,326

$1,848 $1,848

25.89%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$1,218 $1,218

32.20%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,703 $4,703

$3,007 $3,007

56.43%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,721 $2,721

$2,134 $2,134

27.50%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

$5,246 $5,246

-27.02%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

$1,395 $1,395

81.62%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,100 $5,100

$4,003 $4,003

27.40%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.57

0.46%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 7, 2026

Last update for New Orleans, LA: June 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,326 in Chicago, IL versus $1,848 in New Orleans, LA. 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 27% 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $123 in New Orleans, LA. Groceries tell a different story – $448 in Chicago, IL vs $437 in New Orleans, LA – so New Orleans, LA 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 Orleans, LA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,111 in Chicago, IL, $2,626 in New Orleans, LA – roughly 18% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,666 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,940 in New Orleans, LA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in New Orleans, LA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these 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 mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $123 in New Orleans, LA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,111 in Chicago, IL and $2,626 in New Orleans, LA. 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 $2,626 in New Orleans, LA to $3,111 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with New Orleans, LA. 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.