Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Troy, NY

For one person, living is cheaper in Troy, NY: $2,387 a month against $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $7,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

147

Cost of Living Index in Chicago, IL
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Chicago, IL Living Index
115

Cost of Living Index in Troy, NY
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Troy, NY Living Index

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Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 United States

$3,037

/mo nomad

Troy, NY

🇺🇸 United States

$2,387

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chicago, IL and in Troy, NY

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chicago, IL and in Troy, NY actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,037 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,387 in Troy, NY, rent included.

Chicago, IL $3,037
Troy, NY $2,387

A couple spends around $4,518 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,899 in Troy, NY, rent included.

Chicago, IL $4,518
Troy, NY $3,899

A family of three spends $5,999 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,410 in Troy, NY, rent included.

Chicago, IL $5,999
Troy, NY $5,410

Chicago, IL costs about 27% more than Troy, NY, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Chicago, IL and Troy, NY sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 123%, Troy, NY by 75%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.71 $20.71

$18.63 $18.63

11.16%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$89.2 $89.2

$75.7 $75.7

17.94%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.19 $13.19

$11.94 $11.94

10.47%

Cappuccino

$5.66 $5.66

$6.40 $6.40

-11.56%

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

$2.64 $2.64

$2.70 $2.70

-2.22%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.94 $1.94

17.53%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$6.73 $6.73

2.08%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.84 $8.84

$7.42 $7.42

19.14%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 $1.25

$1.03 $1.03

21.36%

White Bread (500g)

$3.72 $3.72

$3.34 $3.34

11.38%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.55 $4.55

18.46%

Eggs

$4.74 $4.74

$3.95 $3.95

20.00%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.84 $13.84

$11.24 $11.24

23.13%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$13.32 $13.32

8.11%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.38 $18.38

$18.02 $18.02

2.00%

Apples (1kg)

$5.22 $5.22

$4.93 $4.93

5.88%

Banana (1kg)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.39 $1.39

42.45%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$5.42 $5.42

-25.09%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.97 $4.97

$4.67 $4.67

6.42%

Potato (1kg)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.95 $2.95

-9.49%

Onion (1kg)

$2.66 $2.66

$3.74 $3.74

-28.88%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.24 $2.24

$2.21 $2.21

1.36%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.13 $3.13

$2.02 $2.02

54.95%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.82 $13.82

$14.62 $14.62

-5.47%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.88 $14.88

$13.76 $13.76

8.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.01 $2.01

26.37%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.51 $3.51

$3.94 $3.94

-10.91%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.28 $1.28

89.84%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.5 $73.5

$65.9 $65.9

11.65%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.80 $3.80

-16.32%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.39 $1.39

$1.35 $1.35

2.96%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.03 $25.03

$29.92 $29.92

-16.34%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$1.11 $1.11

8.11%

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

$35.0K $35.0K

$28.0K $28.0K

25.11%

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

$26.7K $26.7K

$26.3K $26.3K

1.36%

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

$194 $194

$211 $211

-7.86%

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

$69.5 $69.5

$58.8 $58.8

18.07%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.6 $61.6

$75.8 $75.8

-18.72%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.90 $47.90

$43.22 $43.22

10.83%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.34 $27.34

Cinema Ticket

$17.81 $17.81

$14.71 $14.71

21.07%

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

$1,794 $1,794

$1,518 $1,518

18.16%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

$17.3K $17.3K

85.08%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.0 $67.0

$54.9 $54.9

22.10%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.1 $52.1

$48.00 $48.00

8.63%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 $102

$101 $101

0.89%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$120 $120

19.30%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,526 $2,526

$1,277 $1,277

97.79%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,578 $1,578

$1,008 $1,008

56.54%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,738 $4,738

$2,954 $2,954

60.39%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,693 $2,693

$2,399 $2,399

12.26%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,190 $4,190

$2,635 $2,635

58.98%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,768 $2,768

$2,633 $2,633

5.12%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,931 $4,931

$7,694 $7,694

-35.92%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.81

6.66

2.25%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 25, 2026

Last update for Troy, NY: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Chicago, IL

$1.6K 52%

Troy, NY

$1K 42.2% 36.1% $570

Groceries & Markets

Chicago, IL

$447 14.7%

Troy, NY

$405 17% 9.5% $42

Eating Out

Chicago, IL

$345 11.4%

Troy, NY

$329 13.8% 4.7% $16

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Chicago, IL

$326 10.7%

Troy, NY

$346 14.5% 6.2% $20

Clothing & Footwear

Chicago, IL

$164 5.4%

Troy, NY

$146 6.1% 11.1% $18

Getting Around

Chicago, IL

$93 3.1%

Troy, NY

$82 3.4% 12.7% $12

Sport & Entertainment

Chicago, IL

$84 2.8%

Troy, NY

$73 3% 13% $11

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,526 in Chicago, IL versus $1,277 in Troy, 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 56% higher in Troy, 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 $89 in Chicago, IL versus $76 in Troy, NY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $405 – making Troy, NY the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 Troy, NY

🕒 Local time

21:21 9:21 PM

22:21 10:21 PM

1 h ahead of Chicago, IL

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

2,746,388

51,401

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.896 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Between locations

Chicago, IL Troy, NY 1,150 km ≈ 2 h nonstop flight

From you

Chicago, IL
Troy, NY

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Troy, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,037 in Chicago, IL, $2,387 in Troy, NY – Troy, NY comes out roughly 21% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,555 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,581 in Troy, NY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Troy, NY, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,277 there versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL.

Groceries cost about 10% more in Chicago, IL, though the gap depends on what you buy.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89 in Chicago, IL and $76 in Troy, NY. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,387 in Troy, NY to $3,037 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

For expats, Troy, NY is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 21% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.