Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Staunton, VA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Staunton, VA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,111 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,185 in Staunton, VA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,680 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,715 in Staunton, VA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,249 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,245 in Staunton, VA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 42% more than Staunton, VA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Staunton, VA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Staunton, VA by 63%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$19.93 $19.93

2.31%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$80.7 $80.7

21.70%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

$11.86 $11.86

1.77%

Cappuccino

$5.73 $5.73

$5.99 $5.99

-4.34%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$3.09 $3.09

-3.88%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.56 $2.56

-3.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.99 $6.99

$3.90 $3.90

79.23%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$5.55 $5.55

47.93%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.06 $1.06

-0.94%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$3.22 $3.22

26.71%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$7.11 $7.11

-22.64%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$4.37 $4.37

6.18%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$11.41 $11.41

26.21%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.20 $15.20

$15.45 $15.45

-1.62%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$15.11 $15.11

27.60%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$6.08 $6.08

-15.46%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.50 $1.50

17.33%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$5.05 $5.05

-14.06%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$6.39 $6.39

-31.77%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$3.47 $3.47

-29.68%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$3.72 $3.72

-25.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.94 $1.94

29.90%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.56 $2.56

3.91%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.90 $14.90

$9.26 $9.26

60.91%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$15.97 $15.97

-6.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.86 $2.86

-14.34%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$4.66 $4.66

-24.03%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.95 $1.95

24.62%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$4.04 $4.04

-17.82%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$2.52 $2.52

-45.24%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.11 $25.11

$29.90 $29.90

-16.02%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.83 $0.83

31.33%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$30.2K $30.2K

5.39%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$26.2K $26.2K

2.39%

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

$187 $187

$177 $177

5.47%

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

$63.5 $63.5

$59.1 $59.1

7.45%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$30.58 $30.58

114.16%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.7 $75.7

$43.43 $43.43

74.28%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$13.26 $13.26

11.61%

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

$2,025 $2,025

$2,733 $2,733

-25.90%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.0K $39.0K

$40.2K $40.2K

-3.05%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$78.9 $78.9

-18.66%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$49.40 $49.40

4.72%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$102 $102

-6.68%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$143 $143

1.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,326 $2,326

$1,386 $1,386

67.84%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$869 $869

85.38%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,703 $4,703

$2,634 $2,634

78.53%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,721 $2,721

$2,211 $2,211

23.08%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

$2,303 $2,303

66.24%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

$2,298 $2,298

10.21%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,100 $5,100

$4,276 $4,276

19.25%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.48

1.85%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 7, 2026

Last update for Staunton, VA: June 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,326 in Chicago, IL versus $1,386 in Staunton, VA. 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 $81.0 in Staunton, VA. Groceries tell a different story – $448 in Chicago, IL vs $449 in Staunton, VA – 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 Staunton, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,111 in Chicago, IL, $2,185 in Staunton, VA – roughly 42% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,666 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,278 in Staunton, VA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Staunton, VA, 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 $81.0 in Staunton, VA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 0% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Staunton, VA, where all-in costs run around $2,185, than in Chicago, IL at $3,111. In Staunton, VA 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 $2,185 in Staunton, VA to $3,111 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Staunton, VA. 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.