Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Rehoboth Beach, DE Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Rehoboth Beach, DE

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,160 in Rehoboth Beach, DE, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,837 in Rehoboth Beach, DE, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,515 in Rehoboth Beach, DE, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 169% more than Rehoboth Beach, DE, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Chicago, IL sits 128% above the global median, while Rehoboth Beach, DE is 15% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$13.47 $13.47

47.88%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$60.4 $60.4

46.46%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$7.71 $7.71

67.83%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.44 $5.44

1.84%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.81 $2.81

-2.49%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.96 $1.96

20.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$6.07 $6.07

17.30%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$8.13 $8.13

7.38%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.60 $1.60

-16.25%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$4.53 $4.53

-7.95%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$6.50 $6.50

-11.85%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$7.70 $7.70

-36.49%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$6.03 $6.03

144.94%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$6.50 $6.50

128.46%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$19.06 $19.06

2.89%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$4.72 $4.72

18.01%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.74 $1.74

10.34%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$6.39 $6.39

-34.74%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$5.31 $5.31

-8.47%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.95 $2.95

-3.73%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.01 $2.01

39.30%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.01 $2.01

9.45%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.04 $2.04

50.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$13.97 $13.97

15.68%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$13.90 $13.90

6.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.77 $1.77

42.94%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$4.63 $4.63

-27.65%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$3.92 $3.92

-34.95%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$5.03 $5.03

-72.96%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.82 $0.82

42.68%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

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

$26.2K $26.2K

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

$191 $191

$152 $152

25.53%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$37.73 $37.73

80.02%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$73.3 $73.3

-15.82%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$32.73 $32.73

93.92%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$12.74 $12.74

41.44%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$2,258 $2,258

-32.60%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$60.3K $60.3K

-48.10%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$48.09 $48.09

32.42%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$35.84 $35.84

54.16%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$81.2 $81.2

23.70%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$118 $118

29.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$7,589 $7,589

-46.88%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$4,067 $4,067

-32.50%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.3

1.27%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Rehoboth Beach, DE: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $60.0 in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $403 – making Rehoboth Beach, DE 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 Rehoboth Beach, DE: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $1,160 in Rehoboth Beach, DE – roughly 169% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $1,739 in Rehoboth Beach, DE. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $60.0 in Rehoboth Beach, DE. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 15% 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 $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Rehoboth Beach, DE, where all-in costs run around $1,160, than in Chicago, IL at $3,117. In Rehoboth Beach, DE it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,160 in Rehoboth Beach, DE 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 Rehoboth Beach, DE. 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.