Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Providence, RI Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Providence, RI

๐Ÿ˜ Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 11.2% more expensive than Providence, RI without rent, and 4.5% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ˜ Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 0.5% more expensive than Providence, RI without rent, and 17.2% more expensive with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Providence, RI
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$18.74 $18.74
11.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$99.1 $99.1
1.30%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$13.17 $13.17
-9.11%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$4.6 $4.6
20.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.68 $2.68
16.04%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$1.96 $1.96
23.47%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$5.93 $5.93
15.68%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$7.28 $7.28
16.07%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Providence, RI
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.34 $1.34
-22.39%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$3.38 $3.38
22.78%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$3.15 $3.15
75.24%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$5.47 $5.47
-14.99%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$10.67 $10.67
34.30%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$9.83 $9.83
51.37%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$17.56 $17.56
10.14%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$4.59 $4.59
12.64%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.48 $1.48
15.54%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$4.73 $4.73
-6.77%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$4.97 $4.97
-9.26%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.9 $2.9
-12.76%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$3.41 $3.41
-19.65%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$3.19 $3.19
-23.82%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$1.84 $1.84
46.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$11.07 $11.07
37.22%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$13.45 $13.45
22.08%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$2.14 $2.14
9.81%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$1.95 $1.95
89.74%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Providence, RI
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.96 $1.96
29.08%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
$71 $71
4.45%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$4.06 $4.06
-17.73%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$2.06 $2.06
-31.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$27.08 $27.08
-6.13%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$0.83 $0.83
30.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$29.5K $29.5K
10.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$25.7K $25.7K
2.21%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Providence, RI
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$320 $320
-41.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$57.7 $57.7
10.42%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$65.5 $65.5
-0.47%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Providence, RI
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$62.4 $62.4
22.95%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
$59 $59
-77.90%
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$14.94 $14.94
-0.07%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Providence, RI
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$1,517 $1,517
35.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$28.5K $28.5K
37.62%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Providence, RI
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$51.5 $51.5
24.85%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$32.77 $32.77
59.87%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$66.4 $66.4
43.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$84.6 $84.6
70.93%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Providence, RI
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$2,120 $2,120
12.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$1,726 $1,726
-8.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$2,780 $2,780
71.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$2,196 $2,196
28.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$3,274 $3,274
9.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$3,323 $3,323
-25.05%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Providence, RI
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
$3,648 $3,648
44.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
6.45
2.33%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

Last update for Providence, RI: October 29, 2025

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