Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Newport News, VA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Newport News, VA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,638 in Newport News, VA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,014 in Newport News, VA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,390 in Newport News, VA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 17% more than Newport News, VA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Newport News, VA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Newport News, VA by 97%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$27.59 $27.59

-24.21%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$62.6 $62.6

56.78%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$10.43 $10.43

13.71%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.84 $5.84

-4.11%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$3.01 $3.01

1.99%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.25 $2.25

9.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$4.93 $4.93

44.83%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.58 $7.58

6.60%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.06 $1.06

-0.94%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.80 $3.80

8.16%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$2.86 $2.86

96.15%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$2.87 $2.87

57.14%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$9.29 $9.29

53.61%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$15.19 $15.19

-1.97%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$19.32 $19.32

-0.67%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$6.30 $6.30

-18.41%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.02 $1.02

73.53%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$5.09 $5.09

-13.75%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.18 $4.18

9.09%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.69 $2.69

-5.58%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$3.16 $3.16

-12.97%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.07 $2.07

16.91%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.57 $2.57

1.95%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$8.10 $8.10

84.20%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$16.07 $16.07

-7.90%

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

$4.60 $4.60

-18.91%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.56 $2.56

-3.13%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$55.9 $55.9

34.96%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$4.01 $4.01

-20.70%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.33 $1.33

6.77%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$29.55 $29.55

-15.60%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.81 $0.81

30.86%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$29.7K $29.7K

7.60%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.7K $25.7K

1.39%

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

$185 $185

$208 $208

-11.23%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$59.5 $59.5

3.82%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$40.41 $40.41

86.02%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$13.76 $13.76

6.90%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$2,637 $2,637

-23.39%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$40.7K $40.7K

-3.21%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$42.75 $42.75

51.13%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$50.8 $50.8

3.35%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$104 $104

-6.10%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$105 $105

40.19%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,410 $1,410

64.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,227 $1,227

29.54%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,300 $2,300

100.32%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,255 $2,255

23.20%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,274 $2,274

72.45%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,269 $2,269

15.16%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$3,893 $3,893

34.03%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.45

2.33%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Newport News, VA: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,410 in Newport News, VA. 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 34% 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 $63.0 in Newport News, VA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $416 – making Newport News, VA 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 Newport News, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,638 in Newport News, VA – roughly 17% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,957 in Newport News, VA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Newport News, VA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 7% 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 $63.0 in Newport News, VA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Newport News, VA, where all-in costs run around $2,638, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In Newport News, VA 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 $2,638 in Newport News, VA to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Newport News, VA. 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.