Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Severna Park, MD Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Severna Park, MD

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,111 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,931 in Severna Park, MD, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,680 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,358 in Severna Park, MD, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,249 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,785 in Severna Park, MD, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 6% more than Severna Park, MD, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Severna Park, MD sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Severna Park, MD by 118%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$22.53 $22.53

-9.50%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$80.9 $80.9

21.51%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

$12.60 $12.60

-4.21%

Cappuccino

$5.73 $5.73

$5.50 $5.50

4.18%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$3.20 $3.20

-7.19%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.20 $2.20

12.27%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.99 $6.99

$6.62 $6.62

5.59%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$7.71 $7.71

6.49%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.18 $1.18

-11.02%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$3.91 $3.91

4.35%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$7.33 $7.33

-24.97%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$6.56 $6.56

-29.27%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$13.24 $13.24

8.76%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.20 $15.20

$20.60 $20.60

-26.21%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$20.04 $20.04

-3.79%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$7.02 $7.02

-26.78%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$2.23 $2.23

-21.08%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$8.14 $8.14

-46.68%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$6.74 $6.74

-35.31%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$4.87 $4.87

-49.90%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$3.01 $3.01

-7.31%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.89 $2.89

-12.80%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$3.15 $3.15

-15.56%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.90 $14.90

$12.42 $12.42

19.97%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$17.09 $17.09

-12.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.71 $1.71

43.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$3.65 $3.65

-3.01%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$2.05 $2.05

18.54%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

$122 $122

-39.07%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$1.83 $1.83

81.42%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.41 $1.41

-2.13%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.11 $25.11

$20.34 $20.34

23.45%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.84 $0.84

29.76%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$24.9K $24.9K

27.80%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$24.5K $24.5K

9.67%

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

$187 $187

$175 $175

7.06%

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

$63.5 $63.5

$53.4 $53.4

18.82%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$66.1 $66.1

-0.89%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.7 $75.7

$43.06 $43.06

75.78%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

$24.79 $24.79

-47.36%

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$15.22 $15.22

-2.76%

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

$2,025 $2,025

$1,603 $1,603

26.34%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.0K $39.0K

$33.3K $33.3K

17.19%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$46.85 $46.85

36.93%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$71.3 $71.3

-27.49%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$85.2 $85.2

12.26%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$112 $112

29.29%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,326 $2,326

$1,576 $1,576

47.62%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$1,349 $1,349

19.42%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,703 $4,703

$2,655 $2,655

77.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,721 $2,721

$2,225 $2,225

22.28%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

$2,657 $2,657

44.09%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

$2,355 $2,355

7.56%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,100 $5,100

$4,993 $4,993

2.13%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.57

0.46%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 7, 2026

Last update for Severna Park, MD: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,326 in Chicago, IL versus $1,576 in Severna Park, MD. 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 2% 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $81.0 in Severna Park, MD. Groceries tell a different story – $448 in Chicago, IL vs $544 in Severna Park, MD – 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 Severna Park, MD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,111 in Chicago, IL, $2,931 in Severna Park, MD – roughly 6% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,666 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,397 in Severna Park, MD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Severna Park, MD, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 21% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $81.0 in Severna Park, MD. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,111 in Chicago, IL and $2,931 in Severna Park, MD. 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 $2,931 in Severna Park, MD to $3,111 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Severna Park, MD. 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.