Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and North Brunswick, NJ Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and North Brunswick, NJ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,612 in North Brunswick, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,593 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,809 in North Brunswick, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,177 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,006 in North Brunswick, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 15% more than North Brunswick, NJ, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and North Brunswick, NJ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 125%, North Brunswick, NJ by 95%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.35 $20.35

$18.69 $18.69

8.88%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$74.9 $74.9

35.76%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.98 $11.98

$10.79 $10.79

11.03%

Cappuccino

$5.70 $5.70

$5.06 $5.06

12.65%

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

$3.00 $3.00

$2.51 $2.51

19.52%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.95 $1.95

26.15%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$6.08 $6.08

12.99%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.09 $8.09

$6.93 $6.93

16.74%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$1.00 $1.00

3.00%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$3.45 $3.45

14.49%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$4.34 $4.34

24.88%

Eggs

$4.50 $4.50

$4.29 $4.29

4.90%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$12.42 $12.42

16.99%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$11.28 $11.28

32.00%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.98 $18.98

$15.45 $15.45

22.85%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.86 $4.86

10.91%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.61 $1.61

9.94%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$4.20 $4.20

3.57%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$4.85 $4.85

-6.60%

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.83 $2.83

-10.60%

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.88 $2.88

-2.43%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$2.04 $2.04

23.04%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.13 $2.13

25.35%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.88 $14.88

$9.51 $9.51

56.47%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.22 $15.22

$17.02 $17.02

-10.58%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.76 $1.76

39.77%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 $3.53

$3.41 $3.41

3.52%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.02 $2.02

26.73%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.3 $74.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 $3.19

$3.52 $3.52

-9.38%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.58 $1.58

-10.76%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.49 $25.49

$28.69 $28.69

-11.15%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.89 $0.89

16.85%

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

$32.2K $32.2K

$29.2K $29.2K

10.30%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$25.2K $25.2K

6.10%

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

$184 $184

$188 $188

-2.25%

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

$63.1 $63.1

$53.1 $53.1

18.90%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.4 $66.4

$67.5 $67.5

-1.57%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.9 $75.9

$43.52 $43.52

74.43%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

Cinema Ticket

$15.25 $15.25

$13.77 $13.77

10.75%

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

$2,090 $2,090

$1,317 $1,317

58.69%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.2K $39.2K

$23.6K $23.6K

66.39%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$51.4 $51.4

24.93%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.0 $51.0

$39.84 $39.84

28.01%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.2 $97.2

$85.5 $85.5

13.68%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 $149

$110 $110

34.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,341 $2,341

$1,620 $1,620

44.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 $1,572

$1,360 $1,360

15.58%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,741 $4,741

$2,641 $2,641

79.54%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,819 $2,819

$2,263 $2,263

24.55%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,900 $3,900

$2,695 $2,695

44.72%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,638 $2,638

$2,353 $2,353

12.13%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,769 $4,769

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: April 25, 2026

Last update for North Brunswick, NJ: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $1,620 in North Brunswick, NJ. 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $75.0 in North Brunswick, NJ. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $392 – making North Brunswick, NJ 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 North Brunswick, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $2,612 in North Brunswick, NJ – roughly 15% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,918 in North Brunswick, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in North Brunswick, NJ, 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 $102 in Chicago, IL and $75.0 in North Brunswick, NJ. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 14% 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 $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $2,612 in North Brunswick, NJ. 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 $2,612 in North Brunswick, NJ to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with North Brunswick, NJ. 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.