Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Oxford, MS Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Oxford, MS

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,342 in Oxford, MS, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,889 in Oxford, MS, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,435 in Oxford, MS, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 33% more than Oxford, MS, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Oxford, MS sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Oxford, MS by 71%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$17.28 $17.28

15.28%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$60.7 $60.7

45.73%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$11.17 $11.17

15.85%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.14 $5.14

7.78%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$1.57 $1.57

74.52%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.84 $1.84

28.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$4.60 $4.60

54.78%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$7.14 $7.14

22.27%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.84 $0.84

59.52%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.01 $3.01

38.54%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$2.72 $2.72

110.66%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$4.16 $4.16

17.55%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$9.47 $9.47

55.97%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$9.82 $9.82

51.22%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$15.00 $15.00

30.73%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$3.90 $3.90

42.82%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.34 $1.34

43.28%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.86 $3.86

8.03%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$2.98 $2.98

63.09%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.65 $2.65

7.17%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.22 $2.22

26.13%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.74 $1.74

26.44%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$1.84 $1.84

66.30%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$7.69 $7.69

110.14%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$12.05 $12.05

22.99%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.67 $1.67

51.50%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.20 $3.20

4.69%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$4.21 $4.21

-21.62%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.92 $1.92

-29.17%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$32.40 $32.40

-22.47%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.74 $0.74

58.11%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$20.2K $20.2K

77.78%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.4K $25.4K

3.11%

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

$191 $191

$139 $139

37.17%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$50.6 $50.6

34.18%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$68.5 $68.5

-9.90%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$24.72 $24.72

156.76%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$12.20 $12.20

47.70%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,568 $1,568

-2.94%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$8,440 $8,440

270.93%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

0.02%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$52.7 $52.7

4.88%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$87.1 $87.1

15.25%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$169 $169

-9.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,328 $1,328

81.16%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,259 $1,259

31.29%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$3,121 $3,121

46.63%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$3,114 $3,114

-11.01%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$3,358 $3,358

20.03%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$2,930 $2,930

-6.30%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$4,832 $4,832

-0.56%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.23

2.41%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Oxford, MS: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,328 in Oxford, MS. 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 1% higher in Oxford, MS, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $61.0 in Oxford, MS. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $327 – making Oxford, MS 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 Oxford, MS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,342 in Oxford, MS – roughly 33% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,513 in Oxford, MS. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Oxford, MS, 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $61.0 in Oxford, MS. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 42% 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 $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Oxford, MS, where all-in costs run around $2,342, than in Chicago, IL at $3,117. In Oxford, MS 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 $2,342 in Oxford, MS to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Oxford, MS. 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.