Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Silver City, NM Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Silver City, NM

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,066 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,635 in Silver City, NM, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,583 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,764 in Silver City, NM, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,100 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,893 in Silver City, NM, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 16% more than Silver City, NM, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Silver City, NM sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Silver City, NM by 96%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.53 $20.53

$17.88 $17.88

14.82%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$57.9 $57.9

75.52%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.03 $12.03

$12.12 $12.12

-0.74%

Cappuccino

$5.62 $5.62

$5.20 $5.20

8.08%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.82 $2.82

8.87%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.39 $1.39

74.10%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.98 $6.98

$5.10 $5.10

36.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.10 $8.10

$5.90 $5.90

37.29%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.80 $0.80

35.00%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$3.30 $3.30

19.70%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.52 $5.52

$5.08 $5.08

8.66%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$4.27 $4.27

6.56%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.58 $14.58

$10.89 $10.89

33.88%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.91 $14.91

$10.95 $10.95

36.16%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.83 $18.83

$15.26 $15.26

23.39%

Apples (1kg)

$5.34 $5.34

$4.45 $4.45

20.00%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.88 $1.88

-6.38%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.88 $3.88

13.14%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$4.13 $4.13

5.81%

Potato (1kg)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.40 $2.40

6.25%

Onion (1kg)

$2.78 $2.78

$2.52 $2.52

10.32%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.93 $1.93

27.46%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$1.47 $1.47

80.95%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.74 $14.74

$8.97 $8.97

64.33%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$15.10 $15.10

0.46%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.14 $2.14

14.49%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.68 $3.68

$3.47 $3.47

6.05%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.97 $1.97

27.92%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.74 $2.74

20.07%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.38 $1.38

3.62%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.86 $24.86

$36.55 $36.55

-31.98%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.95 $0.95

14.74%

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

$31.3K $31.3K

$31.4K $31.4K

-0.06%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$21.6K $21.6K

23.88%

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

$187 $187

$273 $273

-31.46%

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

$62.4 $62.4

$69.6 $69.6

-10.42%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.1 $67.1

$68.7 $68.7

-2.21%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.54 $43.54

72.65%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.17 $13.17

Cinema Ticket

$15.21 $15.21

$13.23 $13.23

14.97%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$1,106 $1,106

84.29%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.3K $39.3K

$15.5K $15.5K

153.87%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$51.3 $51.3

24.80%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.6 $50.6

$38.66 $38.66

30.86%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.4 $95.4

$83.8 $83.8

13.82%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$103 $103

39.49%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,355 $2,355

$1,007 $1,007

133.92%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,613 $1,613

$1,359 $1,359

18.72%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,728 $4,728

$1,752 $1,752

169.90%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,754 $2,754

$2,239 $2,239

23.02%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,803 $3,803

$1,896 $1,896

100.54%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,580 $2,580

$1,959 $1,959

31.72%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,738 $4,738

$3,015 $3,015

57.16%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.54

0.92%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 14, 2026

Last update for Silver City, NM: April 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,355 in Chicago, IL versus $1,007 in Silver City, NM. 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 57% 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $58 in Silver City, NM. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $367 – making Silver City, NM 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 Silver City, NM: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,066 in Chicago, IL, $2,635 in Silver City, NM – roughly 16% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,952 in Silver City, NM. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Silver City, NM, 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 $102 in Chicago, IL and $58.0 in Silver City, NM. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 22% 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 $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Silver City, NM, where all-in costs run around $2,635, than in Chicago, IL at $3,066. In Silver City, NM 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 $2,635 in Silver City, NM to $3,066 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Silver City, NM. 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.