Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Piscataway, NJ

For one person, living is cheaper in Chicago, IL: $3,037 a month against $3,219 in Piscataway, NJ, rent and utilities included – about $2,200 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Piscataway, NJ outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

147

Cost of Living Index in Chicago, IL
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Chicago, IL Living Index
156

Cost of Living Index in Piscataway, NJ
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Piscataway, NJ Living Index

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Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 United States

$3,037

/mo nomad

Piscataway, NJ

🇺🇸 United States

$3,219

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chicago, IL and in Piscataway, NJ

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chicago, IL and in Piscataway, NJ actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,037 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,219 in Piscataway, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL $3,037
Piscataway, NJ $3,219

A couple spends around $4,518 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,561 in Piscataway, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL $4,518
Piscataway, NJ $4,561

A family of three spends $5,999 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,903 in Piscataway, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL $5,999
Piscataway, NJ $5,903

Chicago, IL is about 6% cheaper than Piscataway, NJ.

Both Chicago, IL and Piscataway, NJ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 123%, Piscataway, NJ by 137%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.71 $20.71

$14.85 $14.85

39.46%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$89.2 $89.2

$79.4 $79.4

12.42%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.19 $13.19

$13.26 $13.26

-0.53%

Cappuccino

$5.66 $5.66

$4.41 $4.41

28.34%

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

$2.64 $2.64

$2.57 $2.57

2.72%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.46 $1.46

56.16%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$5.84 $5.84

17.64%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.84 $8.84

$8.02 $8.02

10.22%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 $1.25

$1.32 $1.32

-5.30%

White Bread (500g)

$3.72 $3.72

$4.45 $4.45

-16.40%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$3.35 $3.35

60.90%

Eggs

$4.74 $4.74

$3.46 $3.46

36.99%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.84 $13.84

$10.88 $10.88

27.21%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$10.19 $10.19

41.32%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.38 $18.38

$13.86 $13.86

32.61%

Apples (1kg)

$5.22 $5.22

$3.23 $3.23

61.61%

Banana (1kg)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.44 $1.44

37.50%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$3.34 $3.34

21.56%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.97 $4.97

$4.31 $4.31

15.31%

Potato (1kg)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.95 $1.95

36.92%

Onion (1kg)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.13 $2.13

24.88%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.24 $2.24

$1.95 $1.95

14.87%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.13 $3.13

$1.51 $1.51

107.28%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.82 $13.82

$14.89 $14.89

-7.19%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.88 $14.88

$15.11 $15.11

-1.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.85 $1.85

37.30%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.51 $3.51

$2.80 $2.80

25.36%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.96 $1.96

23.98%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.5 $73.5

$54.2 $54.2

35.71%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.02 $3.02

5.30%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.39 $1.39

$2.23 $2.23

-37.67%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.03 $25.03

$42.17 $42.17

-40.65%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$0.79 $0.79

51.90%

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

$35.0K $35.0K

$27.6K $27.6K

26.92%

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

$26.7K $26.7K

$25.7K $25.7K

3.90%

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

$194 $194

$170 $170

14.55%

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

$69.5 $69.5

$50.8 $50.8

36.71%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.6 $61.6

$49.25 $49.25

25.16%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.90 $47.90

$42.31 $42.31

13.21%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.34 $27.34

Cinema Ticket

$17.81 $17.81

$17.68 $17.68

0.74%

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

$1,794 $1,794

$1,985 $1,985

-9.64%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

$16.1K $16.1K

99.00%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.0 $67.0

$49.81 $49.81

34.55%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.1 $52.1

$39.51 $39.51

31.97%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 $102

$83.8 $83.8

21.22%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$91.4 $91.4

57.33%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,526 $2,526

$2,093 $2,093

20.71%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,578 $1,578

$2,053 $2,053

-23.13%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,738 $4,738

$4,008 $4,008

18.21%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,693 $2,693

$3,268 $3,268

-17.60%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,190 $4,190

$2,678 $2,678

56.42%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,768 $2,768

$2,390 $2,390

15.82%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,931 $4,931

$4,565 $4,565

8.00%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.81

6.5

4.77%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 25, 2026

Last update for Piscataway, NJ: October 27, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Chicago, IL

$1.6K 52%

Piscataway, NJ

$2.1K 63.8% 30.1% $475

Groceries & Markets

Chicago, IL

$447 14.7%

Piscataway, NJ

$351 10.9% 21.5% $96

Eating Out

Chicago, IL

$345 11.4%

Piscataway, NJ

$273 8.5% 20.9% $72

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Chicago, IL

$326 10.7%

Piscataway, NJ

$270 8.4% 17.1% $56

Clothing & Footwear

Chicago, IL

$164 5.4%

Piscataway, NJ

$119 3.7% 27.4% $45

Getting Around

Chicago, IL

$93 3.1%

Piscataway, NJ

$76 2.4% 18.4% $17

Sport & Entertainment

Chicago, IL

$84 2.8%

Piscataway, NJ

$78 2.4% 7% $5.8

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,526 in Chicago, IL versus $2,093 in Piscataway, 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 8% higher in Chicago, IL, 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 $89 in Chicago, IL versus $79 in Piscataway, NJ. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $351 – making Piscataway, NJ the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 Piscataway, NJ

🕒 Local time

07:09 7:09 AM

08:09 8:09 AM

1 h ahead of Chicago, IL

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

2,746,388

52,658

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.896 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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Between locations

Chicago, IL Piscataway, NJ 1,110 km ≈ 2 h nonstop flight

From you

Chicago, IL
Piscataway, NJ

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Piscataway, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,555 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,829 in Piscataway, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Piscataway, NJ, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $2,093 there versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL.

Interestingly, groceries are about 22% cheaper in Piscataway, NJ – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89 in Chicago, IL and $79 in Piscataway, NJ. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,037 in Chicago, IL and $3,219 in Piscataway, 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 $3,037 in Chicago, IL to $3,219 in Piscataway, NJ. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.