Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Perth Amboy, NJ Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Perth Amboy, NJ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,084 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,590 in Perth Amboy, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,637 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,778 in Perth Amboy, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,191 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,967 in Perth Amboy, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 19% more than Perth Amboy, NJ, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Perth Amboy, NJ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Perth Amboy, NJ by 94%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.81 $20.81

$20.20 $20.20

3.02%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.6 $98.6

$80.9 $80.9

21.79%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.90 $11.90

$15.12 $15.12

-21.30%

Cappuccino

$5.84 $5.84

$5.26 $5.26

11.03%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.58 $2.58

18.99%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$1.98 $1.98

18.69%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$7.97 $7.97

-13.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.07 $8.07

$7.76 $7.76

3.99%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.10 $1.10

-4.55%

White Bread (500g)

$3.98 $3.98

$2.14 $2.14

85.98%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.60 $5.60

$9.60 $9.60

-41.67%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$3.08 $3.08

47.73%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.20 $14.20

$12.38 $12.38

14.70%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.90 $14.90

$11.65 $11.65

27.90%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.08 $19.08

$22.44 $22.44

-14.97%

Apples (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$7.40 $7.40

-28.24%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$2.57 $2.57

-33.46%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$5.44 $5.44

-22.06%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$6.18 $6.18

-29.29%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.41 $1.41

81.56%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$1.39 $1.39

101.44%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.47 $1.47

68.03%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.09 $3.09

-12.62%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.95 $14.95

$10.93 $10.93

36.78%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$12.20 $12.20

20.74%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.75 $1.75

35.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$6.23 $6.23

-42.70%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.44 $2.44

$2.01 $2.01

21.39%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.2 $75.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.35 $3.35

$5.98 $5.98

-43.98%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.58 $1.58

-13.29%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.29 $25.29

$41.75 $41.75

-39.43%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.89 $0.89

22.47%

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

$32.3K $32.3K

$29.4K $29.4K

9.79%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$26.1K $26.1K

1.36%

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

$188 $188

$182 $182

3.15%

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

$63.3 $63.3

$24.24 $24.24

160.97%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$56.0 $56.0

18.13%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.6 $75.6

$42.17 $42.17

79.18%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.20 $13.20

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$15.17 $15.17

-2.44%

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

$2,097 $2,097

$1,838 $1,838

14.06%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$39.5K $39.5K

-2.60%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.9 $64.9

$33.30 $33.30

94.80%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$54.3 $54.3

-4.90%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.3 $96.3

$75.0 $75.0

28.40%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$146 $146

$94.8 $94.8

54.32%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,332 $2,332

$1,634 $1,634

42.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,579 $1,579

$1,372 $1,372

15.09%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,775 $4,775

$2,665 $2,665

79.17%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,725 $2,725

$2,204 $2,204

23.67%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,023 $4,023

$2,498 $2,498

61.06%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,684 $2,684

$2,633 $2,633

1.94%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,981 $4,981

$3,443 $3,443

44.70%

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: July 20, 2026

Last update for Perth Amboy, NJ: July 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,332 in Chicago, IL versus $1,634 in Perth Amboy, 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 45% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $81.0 in Perth Amboy, NJ. Groceries tell a different story – $445 in Chicago, IL vs $446 in Perth Amboy, NJ – 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 Perth Amboy, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,084 in Chicago, IL, $2,590 in Perth Amboy, NJ – roughly 19% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,626 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,885 in Perth Amboy, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Perth Amboy, 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $81.0 in Perth Amboy, NJ. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 0% 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 $3,084 in Chicago, IL and $2,590 in Perth Amboy, 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 $2,590 in Perth Amboy, NJ to $3,084 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Perth Amboy, 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.