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 $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,991 in Staten Island, NY, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,613 in Staten Island, NY, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,236 in Staten Island, NY, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 2% 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 123%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$21.76 $21.76

-5.01%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$98.9 $98.9

1.57%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.79 $5.79

-4.32%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.35 $2.35

30.21%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.55 $1.55

60.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$7.95 $7.95

-12.96%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$8.04 $8.04

1.12%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.55 $1.55

-32.90%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$4.50 $4.50

-13.11%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$8.00 $8.00

-32.25%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$6.77 $6.77

-33.83%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$17.11 $17.11

-15.14%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$13.44 $13.44

13.17%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$20.48 $20.48

-6.01%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$6.45 $6.45

-16.43%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$2.58 $2.58

-34.50%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$5.81 $5.81

-25.65%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$6.49 $6.49

-30.51%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$3.81 $3.81

-32.81%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.97 $3.97

-31.99%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.85 $2.85

-15.44%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.83 $2.83

-7.42%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$19.38 $19.38

-22.50%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$15.09 $15.09

-2.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.80 $1.80

37.78%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$3.90 $3.90

-5.38%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.97 $2.97

-14.14%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.95 $2.95

11.53%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$2.14 $2.14

-33.18%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$41.55 $41.55

-40.51%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.90 $0.90

21.11%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$35.0K $35.0K

-9.35%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$27.5K $27.5K

-3.86%

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

$183 $183

$216 $216

-15.33%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$59.0 $59.0

4.83%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$62.1 $62.1

4.80%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$115 $115

-34.07%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$20.05 $20.05

-26.43%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$1,975 $1,975

4.13%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$15.7K $15.7K

144.94%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$68.3 $68.3

-6.36%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$37.57 $37.57

37.32%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$112 $112

-13.39%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$104 $104

41.92%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,780 $1,780

31.97%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,374 $1,374

15.04%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$3,240 $3,240

45.32%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,680 $2,680

1.33%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$6,221 $6,221

-24.08%

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: April 20, 2026

Last update for Staten Island, NY: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,780 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 32% 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $99 in Staten Island, NY. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $515 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: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,991 in Staten Island, NY – roughly 2% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,486 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 $100 in Chicago, IL and $99.0 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 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 $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $2,991 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 $2,991 in Staten Island, NY to $3,051 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.