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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,111 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,561 in Ramsey, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,680 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,859 in Ramsey, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,249 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,157 in Ramsey, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 21% more than Ramsey, NJ, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Ramsey, NJ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Ramsey, NJ by 91%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$20.02 $20.02

1.85%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$122 $122

-19.69%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

$11.92 $11.92

1.26%

Cappuccino

$5.73 $5.73

$5.64 $5.64

1.60%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.79 $2.79

6.45%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.11 $2.11

17.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.99 $6.99

$8.22 $8.22

-14.96%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$7.81 $7.81

5.12%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.50 $1.50

-30.00%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$4.46 $4.46

-8.52%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$6.35 $6.35

-13.39%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$5.54 $5.54

-16.25%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$13.75 $13.75

4.73%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.20 $15.20

$12.62 $12.62

20.44%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$13.39 $13.39

43.99%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$6.00 $6.00

-14.33%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.62 $1.62

8.64%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$5.55 $5.55

-21.80%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$6.27 $6.27

-30.46%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$2.82 $2.82

-13.48%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$4.82 $4.82

-42.12%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.78 $2.78

-9.35%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.38 $2.38

11.76%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.90 $14.90

$12.07 $12.07

23.45%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$14.92 $14.92

0.34%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.51 $2.51

-2.39%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$3.68 $3.68

-3.80%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.95 $1.95

24.62%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$3.01 $3.01

10.30%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$2.11 $2.11

-34.60%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.11 $25.11

$42.53 $42.53

-40.96%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.97 $0.97

12.37%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$25.3K $25.3K

25.92%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$24.5K $24.5K

9.57%

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

$187 $187

$118 $118

58.98%

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

$63.5 $63.5

$60.0 $60.0

5.68%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$59.9 $59.9

9.35%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.7 $75.7

$42.91 $42.91

76.39%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$19.69 $19.69

-24.83%

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

$2,025 $2,025

$1,928 $1,928

4.99%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.0K $39.0K

$14.6K $14.6K

167.62%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$19.61 $19.61

227.13%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$60.4 $60.4

-14.33%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$30.34 $30.34

215.13%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$99.3 $99.3

46.07%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,326 $2,326

$3,270 $3,270

-28.86%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$1,359 $1,359

18.49%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,703 $4,703

$2,670 $2,670

76.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,721 $2,721

$2,210 $2,210

23.12%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

$2,772 $2,772

38.11%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

$2,164 $2,164

17.05%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,100 $5,100

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 7, 2026

Last update for Ramsey, NJ: June 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,326 in Chicago, IL versus $3,270 in Ramsey, NJ. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $122 in Ramsey, NJ. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $453 – making Chicago, IL 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 Ramsey, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,111 in Chicago, IL, $2,561 in Ramsey, NJ – roughly 21% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,666 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,841 in Ramsey, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Ramsey, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $122 in Ramsey, NJ. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 1% 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 $3,111 in Chicago, IL and $2,561 in Ramsey, 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 $2,561 in Ramsey, NJ to $3,111 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 Ramsey, 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.