Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and State College, PA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and State College, PA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,320 in State College, PA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,479 in State College, PA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,638 in State College, PA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 33% more than State College, PA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and State College, PA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, State College, PA by 73%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$17.72 $17.72

18.00%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$52.0 $52.0

88.75%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$8.81 $8.81

34.62%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.44 $4.44

26.13%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.76 $2.76

11.23%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.01 $2.01

22.89%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.12 $5.12

39.45%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.03 $7.03

14.94%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.95 $0.95

10.53%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.50 $3.50

17.43%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$1.94 $1.94

189.18%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$3.87 $3.87

16.54%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$9.82 $9.82

45.32%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$8.51 $8.51

74.97%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$11.87 $11.87

61.67%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$3.58 $3.58

43.58%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.56 $1.56

13.46%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$5.14 $5.14

-14.59%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.92 $4.92

-7.32%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.03 $2.03

25.12%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.87 $2.87

-4.18%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.13 $2.13

13.62%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.54 $1.54

70.13%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$13.87 $13.87

7.57%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$17.97 $17.97

-17.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.68 $1.68

46.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$7.27 $7.27

-48.69%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.26 $2.26

9.73%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$85.1 $85.1

-11.31%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$5.24 $5.24

-39.31%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$2.22 $2.22

-36.04%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$44.26 $44.26

-43.65%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.89 $0.89

19.10%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$24.0K $24.0K

33.14%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$23.8K $23.8K

9.51%

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

$185 $185

$155 $155

19.06%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$39.87 $39.87

54.85%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$60.7 $60.7

10.34%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$25.23 $25.23

197.94%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$12.21 $12.21

20.48%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$906 $906

123.12%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$28.8K $28.8K

36.96%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$45.79 $45.79

41.10%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$40.51 $40.51

29.47%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$80.6 $80.6

21.39%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$113 $113

30.10%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,479 $1,479

56.35%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,183 $1,183

34.36%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,835 $2,835

62.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,023 $2,023

37.36%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,607 $2,607

50.43%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,213 $2,213

18.06%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$4,388 $4,388

18.90%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.53

1.07%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for State College, PA: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,479 in State College, PA. 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 19% 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 $52.0 in State College, PA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $346 – making State College, PA 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 State College, PA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,320 in State College, PA – roughly 33% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,480 in State College, PA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 29% 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 mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $52.0 in State College, PA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in State College, PA, where all-in costs run around $2,320, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In State College, PA 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 $2,320 in State College, PA to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with State College, PA. 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.