😐A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,609 in New Orleans, LA, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $4,593 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,103 in New Orleans, LA, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $6,177 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,598 in New Orleans, LA, rent included.
😐Chicago, IL costs about 15% more than New Orleans, LA, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Chicago, IL and New Orleans, LA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 125%, New Orleans, LA by 95%.
Moneda
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
New Orleans, LA
Diferencia
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.35$20.35
$26.46$26.46
-23.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$102$102
$126$126
-19.02%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.98$11.98
$11.93$11.93
0.42%
Cappuccino
$5.70$5.70
$5.65$5.65
0.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00$3.00
$2.76$2.76
8.70%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.46$2.46
$2.12$2.12
16.04%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.87$6.87
$5.96$5.96
15.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.09$8.09
$7.98$7.98
1.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
New Orleans, LA
Diferencia
Milk(1 liter)
$1.03$1.03
$1.40$1.40
-26.43%
White Bread(500g)
$3.95$3.95
$4.02$4.02
-1.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.42$5.42
$5.98$5.98
-9.36%
Eggs
$4.50$4.50
$4.34$4.34
3.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.53$14.53
$15.22$15.22
-4.53%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.89$14.89
$11.17$11.17
33.30%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.98$18.98
$14.82$14.82
28.07%
Apples(1kg)
$5.39$5.39
$5.51$5.51
-2.18%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77$1.77
$1.73$1.73
2.31%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.35$4.35
$4.83$4.83
-9.94%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.53$4.53
$5.08$5.08
-10.83%
Potato(1kg)
$2.53$2.53
$3.97$3.97
-36.27%
Onion(1kg)
$2.81$2.81
$3.29$3.29
-14.59%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.51$2.51
$2.19$2.19
14.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.67$2.67
$2.95$2.95
-9.49%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.88$14.88
$8.80$8.80
69.09%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.22$15.22
$16.65$16.65
-8.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.46$2.46
$2.08$2.08
18.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53$3.53
$3.48$3.48
1.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
New Orleans, LA
Diferencia
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.56$2.56
$1.22$1.22
109.84%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$74.3$74.3
$45.90$45.90
61.87%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.19$3.19
$3.47$3.47
-8.07%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.41$1.41
$1.47$1.47
-4.08%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$25.49$25.49
$35.48$35.48
-28.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.04$1.04
$0.78$0.78
33.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.2K$32.2K
$35.5K$35.5K
-9.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8K$26.8K
$28.7K$28.7K
-6.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
New Orleans, LA
Diferencia
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$184$184
$233$233
-21.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.1$63.1
$57.5$57.5
9.79%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.4$66.4
$70.9$70.9
-6.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
New Orleans, LA
Diferencia
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$75.9$75.9
$53.2$53.2
42.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.06$13.06
$42.65$42.65
-69.38%
Cinema Ticket
$15.25$15.25
$13.24$13.24
15.18%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
New Orleans, LA
Diferencia
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,090$2,090
$1,557$1,557
34.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$39.2K$39.2K
$10.2K$10.2K
286.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
New Orleans, LA
Diferencia
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.2$64.2
$54.2$54.2
18.38%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.0$51.0
$40.31$40.31
26.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.2$97.2
$76.8$76.8
26.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$149$149
$113$113
31.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
New Orleans, LA
Diferencia
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,341$2,341
$1,824$1,824
28.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,572$1,572
$1,190$1,190
32.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,741$4,741
$3,019$3,019
57.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,819$2,819
$2,122$2,122
32.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,900$3,900
$5,197$5,197
-24.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,638$2,638
$1,352$1,352
95.20%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
New Orleans, LA
Diferencia
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,769$4,769
$4,007$4,007
19.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.6
6.57
0.46%
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 Orleans, LA: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $1,824 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 19% 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 $126 in New Orleans, LA. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $437 in New Orleans, LA – so New Orleans, LA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Orleans, LA: Coste de vida - preguntas frecuentes
How do living costs in Chicago, IL and New Orleans, LA compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $2,609 in New Orleans, LA – roughly 15% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Chicago, IL compared to New Orleans, LA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,914 in New Orleans, LA. 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 Orleans, LA?
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.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 2% 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 has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $102 in Chicago, IL and $126 in New Orleans, LA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is feasible on a $2,000 budget?
$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $2,609 in New Orleans, LA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Chicago, IL and New Orleans, LA?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,609 in New Orleans, LA 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 Orleans, LA?
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.
Chicago, IL vs otros destinos: coste de vida comparado