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 $3,084 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,472 in Rocky Mount, NC, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,637 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,627 in Rocky Mount, NC, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,191 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,783 in Rocky Mount, NC, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 25% more than Rocky Mount, NC, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Rocky Mount, NC sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Rocky Mount, NC by 85%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.81 $20.81

$22.14 $22.14

-6.01%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.6 $98.6

$70.7 $70.7

39.45%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.90 $11.90

$11.84 $11.84

0.51%

Cappuccino

$5.84 $5.84

$5.05 $5.05

15.64%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.08 $2.08

47.60%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$1.73 $1.73

35.84%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$4.92 $4.92

39.63%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.07 $8.07

$6.81 $6.81

18.50%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.83 $0.83

26.51%

White Bread (500g)

$3.98 $3.98

$2.77 $2.77

43.68%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.60 $5.60

$3.16 $3.16

77.22%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$3.56 $3.56

27.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.20 $14.20

$13.24 $13.24

7.25%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.90 $14.90

$8.43 $8.43

76.75%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.08 $19.08

$19.00 $19.00

0.42%

Apples (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$3.99 $3.99

33.08%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$2.18 $2.18

-21.56%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$4.85 $4.85

-12.58%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$4.08 $4.08

7.11%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.46 $2.46

4.07%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$3.60 $3.60

-22.22%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.88 $1.88

31.38%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.20 $2.20

22.73%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.95 $14.95

$7.44 $7.44

100.94%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$14.54 $14.54

1.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.67 $1.67

41.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$4.13 $4.13

-13.56%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.44 $2.44

$2.03 $2.03

20.20%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.2 $75.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.35 $3.35

$1.95 $1.95

71.79%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$2.35 $2.35

-41.70%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.29 $25.29

$18.20 $18.20

38.96%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.85 $0.85

28.24%

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

$32.3K $32.3K

$30.2K $30.2K

7.00%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.4K $25.4K

4.04%

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

$188 $188

$82.9 $82.9

127.09%

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

$63.3 $63.3

$76.3 $76.3

-17.13%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$50.8 $50.8

30.24%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.6 $75.6

$43.78 $43.78

72.59%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.20 $13.20

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$14.82 $14.82

-0.13%

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

$2,097 $2,097

$912 $912

129.77%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$24.7K $24.7K

55.65%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.9 $64.9

$53.5 $53.5

21.32%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$38.89 $38.89

32.66%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.3 $96.3

$64.3 $64.3

49.81%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$146 $146

$116 $116

25.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,332 $2,332

$1,598 $1,598

45.97%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,579 $1,579

$1,380 $1,380

14.42%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,775 $4,775

$2,653 $2,653

80.00%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,725 $2,725

$2,205 $2,205

23.58%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,023 $4,023

$2,563 $2,563

57.00%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,684 $2,684

$2,608 $2,608

2.89%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,981 $4,981

$2,840 $2,840

75.37%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.59

0.15%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 20, 2026

Last update for Rocky Mount, NC: July 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,332 in Chicago, IL versus $1,598 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 75% 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $71.0 in Rocky Mount, NC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $445 vs $369 – making Rocky Mount, NC 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 Rocky Mount, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,084 in Chicago, IL, $2,472 in Rocky Mount, NC – roughly 25% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,626 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,708 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $71.0 in Rocky Mount, NC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 21% 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.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,084 in Chicago, IL and $2,472 in Rocky Mount, NC. 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 $2,472 in Rocky Mount, NC to $3,084 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.