Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Rocky Mount, NC Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Rocky Mount, NC

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,163 in Rocky Mount, NC, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,379 in Rocky Mount, NC, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,596 in Rocky Mount, NC, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 44% more than Rocky Mount, NC, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Rocky Mount, NC sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Rocky Mount, NC by 57%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.86 $19.86

$15.29 $15.29

29.89%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$79.3 $79.3

11.40%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.23 $13.23

$11.12 $11.12

18.97%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$5.51 $5.51

6.35%

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

$2.61 $2.61

$2.54 $2.54

2.76%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$2.47 $2.47

-6.07%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 $7.03

$5.07 $5.07

38.66%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.25 $9.25

$6.92 $6.92

33.67%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.95 $0.95

41.05%

White Bread (500g)

$4.19 $4.19

$3.97 $3.97

5.54%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$5.88 $5.88

-6.46%

Eggs

$4.71 $4.71

$5.22 $5.22

-9.77%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$11.50 $11.50

28.00%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$14.54 $14.54

-0.07%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$25.37 $25.37

-22.39%

Apples (1kg)

$5.64 $5.64

$6.68 $6.68

-15.57%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.73 $1.73

13.87%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$7.15 $7.15

-43.50%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$5.94 $5.94

-14.65%

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$4.24 $4.24

-30.66%

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$6.14 $6.14

-52.44%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.44 $2.44

-6.56%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$3.06 $3.06

1.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.19 $16.19

$8.03 $8.03

101.62%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$14.27 $14.27

6.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.07 $2.07

28.99%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$5.97 $5.97

-41.71%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.08 $2.08

22.12%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 $3.16

$7.14 $7.14

-55.74%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.84 $1.84

-25.54%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.66 $22.66

$26.37 $26.37

-14.07%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$0.97 $0.97

23.71%

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

$37.0K $37.0K

$35.7K $35.7K

3.65%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.1K $25.1K

3.90%

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

$190 $190

$228 $228

-16.85%

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

$68.5 $68.5

$55.2 $55.2

24.17%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$73.3 $73.3

-16.76%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

$39.64 $39.64

60.90%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$18.28 $18.28

$14.92 $14.92

22.52%

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

$1,525 $1,525

$1,306 $1,306

16.74%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.0K $32.0K

$22.2K $22.2K

44.13%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$70.1 $70.1

-8.71%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.4 $54.4

$42.77 $42.77

27.19%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

-0.03%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$71.2 $71.2

115.53%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,421 $2,421

$974 $974

148.68%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,690 $1,690

$855 $855

97.73%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,584 $4,584

$1,401 $1,401

227.16%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,782 $2,782

$1,613 $1,613

72.48%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

$2,689 $2,689

55.05%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

$2,586 $2,586

5.89%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,777 $4,777

$2,790 $2,790

71.24%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.03

5.80%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Last update for Rocky Mount, NC: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $974 in Rocky Mount, NC. 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 71% 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 $79.0 in Rocky Mount, NC. Groceries tell a different story – $465 in Chicago, IL vs $501 in Rocky Mount, NC – 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 Rocky Mount, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $2,163 in Rocky Mount, NC – roughly 44% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,244 in Rocky Mount, NC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Rocky Mount, NC, 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 $79.0 in Rocky Mount, NC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 8% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Rocky Mount, NC, where all-in costs run around $2,163, than in Chicago, IL at $3,106. In Rocky Mount, NC 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 $2,163 in Rocky Mount, NC to $3,106 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Rocky Mount, NC. 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.