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 $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,906 in Staten Island, NY, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,519 in Staten Island, NY, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,131 in Staten Island, NY, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 6% 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 130%, Staten Island, NY by 117%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$21.96 $21.96

-4.78%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$101 $101

-2.69%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$11.84 $11.84

0.17%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.81 $5.81

-3.61%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.36 $2.36

30.08%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.56 $1.56

58.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$8.03 $8.03

-11.08%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.86 $7.86

2.80%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.55 $1.55

-32.26%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$4.51 $4.51

-8.87%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$8.14 $8.14

-31.08%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$6.70 $6.70

-32.69%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$17.68 $17.68

-19.29%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$13.04 $13.04

14.19%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$20.33 $20.33

-5.61%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$6.54 $6.54

-21.41%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.60 $2.60

-31.92%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$5.92 $5.92

-25.84%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$6.39 $6.39

-28.64%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.85 $3.85

-34.03%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$4.06 $4.06

-32.27%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.77 $2.77

-12.64%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.79 $2.79

-6.09%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$18.95 $18.95

-21.27%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$14.77 $14.77

0.20%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.84 $1.84

33.70%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.77 $3.77

-1.06%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.95 $2.95

-15.93%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.04 $3.04

4.61%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$2.22 $2.22

-36.04%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$42.52 $42.52

-41.35%

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

$34.7K $34.7K

-8.05%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$27.6K $27.6K

-5.51%

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

$185 $185

$216 $216

-14.25%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$59.3 $59.3

4.20%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$63.4 $63.4

5.59%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$118 $118

-36.45%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$20.13 $20.13

-26.92%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,999 $1,999

1.07%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$16.3K $16.3K

142.03%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$67.1 $67.1

-3.68%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$37.41 $37.41

40.20%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$115 $115

-14.78%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$103 $103

43.06%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,783 $1,783

29.69%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,389 $1,389

14.44%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$3,271 $3,271

40.87%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,677 $2,677

3.80%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$6,188 $6,188

-15.69%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.74

-2.08%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Staten Island, NY: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,783 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 19% 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $101 in Staten Island, NY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $513 – making Chicago, IL 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 Staten Island, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,906 in Staten Island, NY – roughly 6% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,359 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $101 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 15% 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,906 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 $2,906 in Staten Island, NY 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 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.