Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and North East, MD Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and North East, MD

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,687 in North East, MD, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,035 in North East, MD, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,384 in North East, MD, rent included.

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

Both Chicago, IL and North East, MD sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, North East, MD by 100%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$24.72 $24.72

-15.41%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$91.6 $91.6

7.09%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$11.13 $11.13

6.56%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.61 $5.61

-0.18%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.97 $2.97

3.37%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.62 $2.62

-5.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$8.17 $8.17

-12.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$8.76 $8.76

-7.76%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.26 $1.26

-16.67%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.68 $3.68

11.68%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$6.80 $6.80

-17.50%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.15 $4.15

8.67%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$19.51 $19.51

-26.86%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$14.88 $14.88

0.07%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$25.42 $25.42

-24.51%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$6.95 $6.95

-26.04%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.86 $1.86

-4.84%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$5.33 $5.33

-17.64%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$5.70 $5.70

-20.00%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$4.14 $4.14

-38.65%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$3.39 $3.39

-18.88%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.22 $2.22

9.01%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.89 $2.89

-9.34%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$11.95 $11.95

24.85%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$17.08 $17.08

-13.35%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.95 $1.95

26.15%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.32 $3.32

12.35%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.01 $2.01

23.38%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$2.80 $2.80

13.57%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.38 $1.38

2.90%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$25.16 $25.16

-0.87%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.86 $0.86

23.26%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$30.8K $30.8K

3.55%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.6K $24.6K

5.63%

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

$185 $185

$126 $126

46.42%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$43.53 $43.53

41.83%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$71.2 $71.2

-5.98%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.22 $43.22

73.92%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$14.80 $14.80

-0.61%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,902 $1,902

6.24%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$35.5K $35.5K

11.14%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$56.7 $56.7

13.93%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$53.4 $53.4

-1.74%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$93.9 $93.9

4.15%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$117 $117

25.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,616 $1,616

43.13%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,342 $1,342

18.43%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,673 $2,673

72.37%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,198 $2,198

26.41%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,341 $2,341

67.48%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,583 $2,583

1.14%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.55

0.76%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for North East, MD: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,616 in North East, MD. 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 $92.0 in North East, MD. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $511 in North East, MD – so Chicago, IL 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 North East, MD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,687 in North East, MD – roughly 15% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,030 in North East, MD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in North East, MD, 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 $92.0 in North East, MD. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 14% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,687 in North East, MD. 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 $2,687 in North East, MD to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with North East, MD. 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.