Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,066 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,694 in Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,583 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,988 in Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,100 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,283 in Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 14% more than Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ by 100%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.53 $20.53

$14.75 $14.75

39.19%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$39.54 $39.54

157.11%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.03 $12.03

$12.19 $12.19

-1.31%

Cappuccino

$5.62 $5.62

$4.39 $4.39

28.02%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.06 $2.06

49.03%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.95 $1.95

24.10%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.98 $6.98

$6.02 $6.02

15.95%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.10 $8.10

$6.11 $6.11

32.57%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$4.03 $4.03

-1.99%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.52 $5.52

$2.72 $2.72

102.94%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$3.56 $3.56

27.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.58 $14.58

$13.02 $13.02

11.98%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.91 $14.91

$6.55 $6.55

127.63%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.83 $18.83

$14.54 $14.54

29.50%

Apples (1kg)

$5.34 $5.34

$2.68 $2.68

99.25%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.18 $1.18

49.15%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$2.67 $2.67

64.42%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$2.83 $2.83

54.42%

Potato (1kg)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.15 $2.15

18.60%

Onion (1kg)

$2.78 $2.78

$2.17 $2.17

28.11%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.03 $1.03

138.83%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$0.48 $0.48

454.17%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.74 $14.74

$10.79 $10.79

36.61%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$14.92 $14.92

1.68%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.70 $1.70

44.12%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.68 $3.68

$1.95 $1.95

88.72%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.97 $1.97

27.92%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

$94.2 $94.2

-20.85%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$1.94 $1.94

69.59%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.61 $1.61

-11.18%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.86 $24.86

$42.37 $42.37

-41.33%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.83 $0.83

31.33%

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

$31.3K $31.3K

$30.1K $30.1K

4.25%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$24.7K $24.7K

8.30%

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

$187 $187

$183 $183

2.32%

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

$62.4 $62.4

$44.28 $44.28

40.83%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.1 $67.1

$40.16 $40.16

67.16%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.54 $43.54

72.65%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.17 $13.17

Cinema Ticket

$15.21 $15.21

$12.10 $12.10

25.70%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$1,841 $1,841

10.75%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.3K $39.3K

$40.0K $40.0K

-1.55%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$32.37 $32.37

97.59%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.6 $50.6

$47.90 $47.90

5.62%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.4 $95.4

$93.2 $93.2

2.39%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$131 $131

9.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,355 $2,355

$1,800 $1,800

30.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,613 $1,613

$1,524 $1,524

5.82%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,728 $4,728

$3,207 $3,207

47.43%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,754 $2,754

$2,784 $2,784

-1.09%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,803 $3,803

$2,967 $2,967

28.16%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,580 $2,580

$2,491 $2,491

3.57%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,738 $4,738

$7,214 $7,214

-34.32%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.35

3.94%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 14, 2026

Last update for Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ: April 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,355 in Chicago, IL versus $1,800 in Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ. 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 52% higher in Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ, 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $40 in Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $300 – making Parsippany-Troy Hills, 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 Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,066 in Chicago, IL, $2,694 in Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ – roughly 14% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,041 in Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 49% 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 $102 in Chicago, IL and $40.00 in Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,066 in Chicago, IL and $2,694 in Parsippany-Troy Hills, 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 $2,694 in Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ to $3,066 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 Parsippany-Troy Hills, 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.