Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Taunton, MA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Taunton, MA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,041 in Taunton, MA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,593 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,409 in Taunton, MA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,177 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,778 in Taunton, MA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 1% cheaper than Taunton, MA, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Chicago, IL and Taunton, MA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 125%, Taunton, MA by 127%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.35 $20.35

$20.08 $20.08

1.34%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

-0.02%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.98 $11.98

$12.46 $12.46

-3.85%

Cappuccino

$5.70 $5.70

$4.56 $4.56

25.00%

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

$3.00 $3.00

$2.80 $2.80

7.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.14 $2.14

14.95%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$5.92 $5.92

16.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.09 $8.09

$7.36 $7.36

9.92%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$1.04 $1.04

-0.96%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$3.50 $3.50

12.86%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$3.43 $3.43

58.02%

Eggs

$4.50 $4.50

$4.58 $4.58

-1.75%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$15.97 $15.97

-9.02%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$11.93 $11.93

24.81%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.98 $18.98

$19.08 $19.08

-0.52%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$5.26 $5.26

2.47%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.69 $1.69

4.73%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$3.80 $3.80

14.47%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$5.85 $5.85

-22.56%

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$3.25 $3.25

-22.15%

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.58 $2.58

8.91%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$1.94 $1.94

29.38%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.64 $1.64

62.80%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.88 $14.88

$11.46 $11.46

29.84%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.22 $15.22

$15.18 $15.18

0.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.17 $2.17

13.36%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 $3.53

$1.95 $1.95

81.03%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.02 $2.02

26.73%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.3 $74.3

$39.59 $39.59

87.67%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 $3.19

$4.89 $4.89

-34.76%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.77 $1.77

-20.34%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.49 $25.49

$28.62 $28.62

-10.94%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.91 $0.91

14.29%

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

$32.2K $32.2K

$22.8K $22.8K

41.33%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$24.3K $24.3K

10.12%

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

$184 $184

$273 $273

-32.73%

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

$63.1 $63.1

$55.1 $55.1

14.50%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.4 $66.4

$66.6 $66.6

-0.30%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.9 $75.9

$32.09 $32.09

136.55%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

Cinema Ticket

$15.25 $15.25

$14.71 $14.71

3.67%

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

$2,090 $2,090

$1,644 $1,644

27.12%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.2K $39.2K

$18.2K $18.2K

116.09%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$47.04 $47.04

36.48%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.0 $51.0

$33.86 $33.86

50.62%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.2 $97.2

$66.6 $66.6

45.81%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 $149

$82.4 $82.4

80.25%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,341 $2,341

$1,534 $1,534

52.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 $1,572

$1,636 $1,636

-3.90%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,741 $4,741

$2,522 $2,522

87.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,819 $2,819

$2,877 $2,877

-2.01%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,900 $3,900

$3,083 $3,083

26.50%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,638 $2,638

$3,520 $3,520

-25.06%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,769 $4,769

$4,190 $4,190

13.81%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.61

-0.15%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026

Last update for Taunton, MA: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $1,534 in Taunton, MA. 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 14% higher in Chicago, IL, 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $102 in Taunton, MA. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $411 in Taunton, MA – so Taunton, MA 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 Taunton, MA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Taunton, MA costs about 1% more than Chicago, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,561 in Taunton, MA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

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

A mid-range dinner for two costs $102 in Chicago, IL and $102 in Taunton, MA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $3,041 in Taunton, MA. 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 $3,009 in Chicago, IL to $3,041 in Taunton, MA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Taunton, MA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.