Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Raleigh, NC Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Raleigh, NC

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,679 in Raleigh, NC, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,931 in Raleigh, NC, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,182 in Raleigh, NC, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 16% more than Raleigh, NC, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Raleigh, NC sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Raleigh, NC by 96%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$23.34 $23.34

-14.65%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$98.8 $98.8

-10.40%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$10.93 $10.93

18.39%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.86 $5.86

-5.46%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.79 $2.79

-1.79%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.25 $2.25

4.89%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$6.02 $6.02

18.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$6.85 $6.85

27.45%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.90 $0.90

48.89%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$4.01 $4.01

3.99%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$3.11 $3.11

84.24%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$4.67 $4.67

4.71%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$15.28 $15.28

-3.34%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$10.23 $10.23

45.16%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$17.86 $17.86

9.80%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$6.76 $6.76

-17.60%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.25 $1.25

53.60%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$4.37 $4.37

-4.58%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$5.94 $5.94

-18.18%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$3.04 $3.04

-6.58%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$3.48 $3.48

-19.54%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.12 $2.12

3.77%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.15 $2.15

42.33%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$9.59 $9.59

68.51%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$15.03 $15.03

-1.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.23 $2.23

13.45%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$2.77 $2.77

20.94%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.42 $1.42

79.58%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$39.50 $39.50

91.32%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$3.03 $3.03

8.91%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.85 $1.85

-26.49%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$18.06 $18.06

39.09%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.96 $0.96

21.87%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$35.9K $35.9K

0.21%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.6K $25.6K

2.47%

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

$191 $191

$195 $195

-1.68%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$57.0 $57.0

19.16%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$67.5 $67.5

-8.57%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$35.32 $35.32

79.70%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

$4.91 $4.91

452.75%

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$15.02 $15.02

19.97%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,508 $1,508

0.89%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$24.5K $24.5K

27.91%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$54.7 $54.7

16.46%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$58.9 $58.9

-6.21%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$91.2 $91.2

10.14%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$142 $142

7.90%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,715 $1,715

40.31%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,296 $1,296

27.54%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$3,057 $3,057

49.70%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$2,009 $2,009

37.93%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$3,856 $3,856

4.53%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$2,189 $2,189

25.39%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$4,421 $4,421

8.68%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.2

2.90%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Raleigh, NC: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,715 in Raleigh, NC. 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 9% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $99.0 in Raleigh, NC. Groceries tell a different story – $464 in Chicago, IL vs $416 in Raleigh, NC – so Raleigh, NC 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 Raleigh, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,679 in Raleigh, NC – roughly 16% 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 $4,019 in Raleigh, NC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Raleigh, NC, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 11% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $99.0 in Raleigh, NC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,679 in Raleigh, NC. 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 $2,679 in Raleigh, NC to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Raleigh, NC. 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.