Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Northampton, MA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Northampton, MA

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 6.3% more expensive than Northampton, MA without rent, and 4.9% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 29.2% more expensive than Northampton, MA without rent, and 11.1% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Northampton, MA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$17.69 $17.69
17.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$80.1 $80.1
25.25%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$9.33 $9.33
28.30%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$4.54 $4.54
22.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.23 $2.23
39.46%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$1.61 $1.61
50.31%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$4.94 $4.94
38.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$6.11 $6.11
38.30%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Northampton, MA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.01 $1.01
2.97%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$3.96 $3.96
4.80%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$5.61 $5.61
-1.60%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$5.24 $5.24
-11.26%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$14.17 $14.17
1.13%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$14.41 $14.41
3.26%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$17.37 $17.37
11.34%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$4.71 $4.71
9.77%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.48 $1.48
15.54%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$3.5 $3.5
26.00%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$4.99 $4.99
-9.62%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.98 $2.98
-15.10%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$2.87 $2.87
-4.53%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$3.16 $3.16
-23.10%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$1.82 $1.82
48.35%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$14.48 $14.48
4.90%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$12.74 $12.74
28.89%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.84 $1.84
27.72%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$1.98 $1.98
86.87%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Northampton, MA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.95 $1.95
29.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$4.91 $4.91
-31.98%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$2.02 $2.02
-29.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$27.92 $27.92
-8.95%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$0.84 $0.84
28.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$30.1K $30.1K
7.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$24.5K $24.5K
6.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Northampton, MA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$134 $134
40.15%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$58.6 $58.6
8.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$78.1 $78.1
-16.47%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Northampton, MA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$52.6 $52.6
45.83%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$14.72 $14.72
1.43%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Northampton, MA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$1,414 $1,414
45.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$28K $28K
39.88%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Northampton, MA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$23.83 $23.83
169.87%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$46.68 $46.68
12.23%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$84.4 $84.4
12.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$104 $104
38.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Northampton, MA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$2,088 $2,088
13.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$1,755 $1,755
-9.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$2,645 $2,645
80.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$2,880 $2,880
-2.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$3,021 $3,021
18.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$2,741 $2,741
-9.14%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Northampton, MA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
$2,138 $2,138
146.70%
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: October 29, 2025

Last update for Northampton, MA: October 28, 2025

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