Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Rock Hill, SC Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Rock Hill, SC

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,181 in Rock Hill, SC, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,002 in Rock Hill, SC, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,823 in Rock Hill, SC, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 43% more than Rock Hill, SC, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Rock Hill, SC sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Rock Hill, SC by 59%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$18.19 $18.19

9.51%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$50.1 $50.1

76.77%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$9.93 $9.93

30.31%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.43 $5.43

2.03%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.88 $2.88

-4.86%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.03 $2.03

16.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$5.08 $5.08

40.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$5.90 $5.90

47.97%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.74 $0.74

81.08%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$2.74 $2.74

52.19%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$3.02 $3.02

89.74%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$5.43 $5.43

-9.94%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$10.95 $10.95

34.89%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$10.98 $10.98

35.25%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$7.87 $7.87

149.17%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$2.68 $2.68

107.84%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.40 $1.40

37.14%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$6.46 $6.46

-35.45%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$4.50 $4.50

8.00%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$3.37 $3.37

-15.73%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$3.36 $3.36

-16.67%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.97 $1.97

11.68%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$1.98 $1.98

54.55%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$7.85 $7.85

105.86%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$10.06 $10.06

47.32%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.64 $1.64

54.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.44 $3.44

-2.62%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$6.83 $6.83

-51.68%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$2.25 $2.25

-39.56%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$15.28 $15.28

64.40%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.93 $0.93

25.81%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

-0.17%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.9K $25.9K

1.40%

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

$191 $191

$144 $144

32.64%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$50.7 $50.7

33.96%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$53.2 $53.2

16.05%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$20.27 $20.27

213.12%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

$6.85 $6.85

296.20%

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$11.88 $11.88

51.68%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,324 $1,324

14.92%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$9,860 $9,860

217.51%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$38.38 $38.38

65.92%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$30.92 $30.92

78.69%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$87.5 $87.5

14.84%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$94.2 $94.2

62.66%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,357 $1,357

77.27%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,154 $1,154

43.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$1,866 $1,866

145.23%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$1,523 $1,523

82.03%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$3,461 $3,461

38.80%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.04

5.63%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Rock Hill, SC: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,357 in Rock Hill, SC. 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 39% 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 $50.0 in Rock Hill, SC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $334 – making Rock Hill, SC 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 Rock Hill, SC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,181 in Rock Hill, SC – roughly 43% 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 $3,271 in Rock Hill, SC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Rock Hill, SC, 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $50.0 in Rock Hill, SC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 39% 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 $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Rock Hill, SC, where all-in costs run around $2,181, than in Chicago, IL at $3,117. In Rock Hill, SC 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 $2,181 in Rock Hill, SC to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Rock Hill, SC. 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.