Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Staten Island, NY Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Staten Island, NY

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,012 in Staten Island, NY, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,522 in Staten Island, NY, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,032 in Staten Island, NY, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 4% more than Staten Island, NY, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Staten Island, NY sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Staten Island, NY by 120%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$23.46 $23.46

-15.09%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$86.4 $86.4

2.43%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$13.26 $13.26

-2.41%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$6.17 $6.17

-10.21%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.65 $2.65

3.40%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.66 $1.66

42.17%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$8.10 $8.10

-12.10%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$7.96 $7.96

9.67%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.29 $1.29

3.88%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$4.69 $4.69

-11.09%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$6.46 $6.46

-11.30%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$5.71 $5.71

-14.36%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$17.67 $17.67

-16.41%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$13.94 $13.94

6.53%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$19.66 $19.66

-0.25%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$6.07 $6.07

-8.24%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$3.58 $3.58

-46.37%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$5.73 $5.73

-27.23%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$6.35 $6.35

-23.46%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$3.40 $3.40

-16.47%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$4.11 $4.11

-31.87%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.79 $2.79

-21.15%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.76 $2.76

10.87%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$19.37 $19.37

-16.57%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$15.12 $15.12

-1.98%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.76 $1.76

43.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.54 $3.54

-5.37%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.97 $2.97

-14.14%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.92 $2.92

13.01%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$2.23 $2.23

-39.01%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$41.68 $41.68

-39.73%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.01 $1.01

15.84%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$35.4K $35.4K

1.67%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$24.8K $24.8K

5.56%

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

$191 $191

$229 $229

-16.27%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$73.3 $73.3

-7.29%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$65.4 $65.4

-5.62%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$116 $116

-45.28%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$20.20 $20.20

-10.79%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$2,001 $2,001

-23.94%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$15.7K $15.7K

99.04%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$71.9 $71.9

-11.47%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$37.52 $37.52

47.25%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$104 $104

-3.53%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$105 $105

45.40%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,842 $1,842

30.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,420 $1,420

16.42%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$3,348 $3,348

36.71%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$2,435 $2,435

13.81%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$6,729 $6,729

-28.60%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.33

0.79%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Staten Island, NY: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,842 in Staten Island, NY. 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 40% higher in Staten Island, NY, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $86.0 in Staten Island, NY. Groceries tell a different story – $464 in Chicago, IL vs $505 in Staten Island, NY – 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 Staten Island, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $3,012 in Staten Island, NY – roughly 4% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,518 in Staten Island, NY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Staten Island, NY, 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 $86.0 in Staten Island, NY. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 9% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $3,012 in Staten Island, NY. 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 $3,012 in Staten Island, NY to $3,117 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 Staten Island, NY. 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.