Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Red Bank, NJ Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Red Bank, NJ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,793 in Red Bank, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,601 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,106 in Red Bank, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,085 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,420 in Red Bank, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 12% more than Red Bank, NJ, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Red Bank, NJ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 134%, Red Bank, NJ by 110%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.18 $20.18

$19.83 $19.83

1.77%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$78.6 $78.6

28.68%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.09 $12.09

$9.46 $9.46

27.80%

Cappuccino

$5.75 $5.75

$4.87 $4.87

18.07%

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

$2.98 $2.98

$2.32 $2.32

28.45%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.02 $2.02

21.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.04 $7.04

$3.97 $3.97

77.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.27 $8.27

$4.97 $4.97

66.40%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$1.36 $1.36

-20.59%

White Bread (500g)

$4.14 $4.14

$4.24 $4.24

-2.36%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.38 $5.38

$10.33 $10.33

-47.92%

Eggs

$4.52 $4.52

$4.45 $4.45

1.57%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.25 $14.25

$15.33 $15.33

-7.05%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.04 $15.04

$13.54 $13.54

11.08%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.84 $18.84

$20.88 $20.88

-9.77%

Apples (1kg)

$5.13 $5.13

$6.05 $6.05

-15.21%

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 $1.70

$2.16 $2.16

-21.30%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$5.26 $5.26

-19.39%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.43 $4.43

$5.22 $5.22

-15.13%

Potato (1kg)

$2.57 $2.57

$3.43 $3.43

-25.07%

Onion (1kg)

$2.73 $2.73

$2.87 $2.87

-4.88%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.92 $2.92

-13.70%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.55 $2.55

2.75%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.91 $14.91

$12.91 $12.91

15.49%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.19 $15.19

$15.20 $15.20

-0.07%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.01 $2.01

22.39%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$4.28 $4.28

-12.62%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.05 $2.05

20.98%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.6 $73.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.31 $3.31

$3.04 $3.04

8.88%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.39 $1.39

-2.16%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.06 $25.06

$22.23 $22.23

12.73%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.89 $0.89

17.98%

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

$32.6K $32.6K

$27.0K $27.0K

20.93%

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

$26.5K $26.5K

$25.7K $25.7K

2.96%

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

$187 $187

$267 $267

-29.67%

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

$63.6 $63.6

$62.8 $62.8

1.31%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.0 $66.0

$77.3 $77.3

-14.68%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.1 $77.1

$43.44 $43.44

77.51%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.92 $12.92

Cinema Ticket

$15.15 $15.15

$14.90 $14.90

1.68%

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

$2,029 $2,029

$2,101 $2,101

-3.41%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.7K $38.7K

$23.8K $23.8K

62.55%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.5 $63.5

$50.6 $50.6

25.68%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.1 $52.1

$41.47 $41.47

25.56%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.1 $96.1

$93.8 $93.8

2.41%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$141 $141

4.54%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,343 $2,343

$1,630 $1,630

43.75%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,623 $1,623

$1,355 $1,355

19.78%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,601 $4,601

$2,643 $2,643

74.09%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,774 $2,774

$2,202 $2,202

25.99%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,933 $3,933

$2,624 $2,624

49.90%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,562 $2,562

$2,225 $2,225

15.16%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,176 $5,176

$4,553 $4,553

13.67%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.5

1.54%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 14, 2026

Last update for Red Bank, NJ: June 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,343 in Chicago, IL versus $1,630 in Red Bank, 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 14% 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 $101 in Chicago, IL versus $79.0 in Red Bank, NJ. Groceries tell a different story – $446 in Chicago, IL vs $489 in Red Bank, 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 Red Bank, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,793 in Red Bank, NJ – roughly 12% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,675 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,189 in Red Bank, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Red Bank, 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 $101 in Chicago, IL and $79.0 in Red Bank, NJ. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 10% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,793 in Red Bank, 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 $2,793 in Red Bank, NJ to $3,117 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 Red Bank, 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.