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 $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,806 in Red Bank, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,593 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,085 in Red Bank, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,177 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,363 in Red Bank, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 7% 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 125%, Red Bank, NJ by 110%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.35 $20.35

$20.30 $20.30

0.25%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$79.9 $79.9

27.17%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.98 $11.98

$9.77 $9.77

22.62%

Cappuccino

$5.70 $5.70

$4.84 $4.84

17.77%

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

$3.00 $3.00

$2.36 $2.36

27.12%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.94 $1.94

26.80%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$3.93 $3.93

74.81%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.09 $8.09

$4.89 $4.89

65.44%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$1.36 $1.36

-24.26%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$4.24 $4.24

-6.84%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$10.08 $10.08

-46.23%

Eggs

$4.50 $4.50

$4.37 $4.37

2.97%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$14.88 $14.88

-2.35%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$13.73 $13.73

8.45%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.98 $18.98

$21.52 $21.52

-11.80%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$6.19 $6.19

-12.92%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.12 $2.12

-16.51%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$5.26 $5.26

-17.30%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$5.42 $5.42

-16.42%

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$3.44 $3.44

-26.45%

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.79 $2.79

0.72%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$3.07 $3.07

-18.24%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.46 $2.46

8.54%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.88 $14.88

$12.96 $12.96

14.81%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.22 $15.22

$14.91 $14.91

2.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.94 $1.94

26.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 $3.53

$4.22 $4.22

-16.35%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.04 $2.04

25.49%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.3 $74.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 $3.19

$2.96 $2.96

7.77%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.49 $25.49

$22.04 $22.04

15.65%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.86 $0.86

20.93%

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

$32.2K $32.2K

$27.2K $27.2K

18.36%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$25.7K $25.7K

3.98%

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

$184 $184

$265 $265

-30.69%

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

$63.1 $63.1

$63.4 $63.4

-0.46%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.4 $66.4

$75.4 $75.4

-11.91%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.9 $75.9

$43.25 $43.25

75.51%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

Cinema Ticket

$15.25 $15.25

$14.74 $14.74

3.46%

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

$2,090 $2,090

$2,105 $2,105

-0.71%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.2K $39.2K

$23.5K $23.5K

67.29%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$51.2 $51.2

25.29%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.0 $51.0

$42.75 $42.75

19.30%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.2 $97.2

$94.1 $94.1

3.28%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 $149

$143 $143

3.94%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,341 $2,341

$1,572 $1,572

48.95%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 $1,572

$1,364 $1,364

15.28%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,741 $4,741

$2,617 $2,617

81.14%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,819 $2,819

$2,243 $2,243

25.67%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,900 $3,900

$2,722 $2,722

43.26%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,638 $2,638

$2,398 $2,398

10.01%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,769 $4,769

$4,636 $4,636

2.86%

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: April 25, 2026

Last update for Red Bank, NJ: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $1,572 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 3% 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $80.0 in Red Bank, NJ. Groceries tell a different story – $447 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: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $2,806 in Red Bank, NJ – roughly 7% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,210 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 $102 in Chicago, IL and $80.0 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 9% 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 $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $2,806 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 $2,806 in Red Bank, NJ to $3,009 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.