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

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 24.6% more expensive than Utica, NY without rent, and 24.1% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 50.2% more expensive than Utica, NY without rent, and 18.6% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Utica, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$16.41 $16.41
26.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$73.9 $73.9
35.81%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$11.25 $11.25
6.40%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$4.93 $4.93
12.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.4 $2.4
29.58%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$1.65 $1.65
46.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$4.54 $4.54
51.10%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$6.09 $6.09
38.75%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Utica, NY
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$0.89 $0.89
16.85%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$3.03 $3.03
36.96%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$4.31 $4.31
28.07%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$3.94 $3.94
18.02%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$13.38 $13.38
7.10%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$8.49 $8.49
75.27%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$11.87 $11.87
62.93%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$4.02 $4.02
28.61%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.62 $1.62
5.56%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$4.08 $4.08
8.09%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$5.84 $5.84
-22.77%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.56 $1.56
62.18%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$2.08 $2.08
31.73%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$2.47 $2.47
-1.62%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$2.42 $2.42
11.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$13.92 $13.92
9.12%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$13.14 $13.14
24.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.74 $1.74
35.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$3.44 $3.44
7.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Utica, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.48 $1.48
70.95%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
$43.69 $43.69
69.67%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$5.26 $5.26
-36.50%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$2.23 $2.23
-36.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$45.59 $45.59
-44.24%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$0.88 $0.88
22.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$31.5K $31.5K
2.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$23.8K $23.8K
10.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Utica, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$198 $198
-4.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$46.5 $46.5
36.99%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$61.5 $61.5
5.98%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Utica, NY
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$40.17 $40.17
90.99%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$13.87 $13.87
7.64%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Utica, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$807 $807
155.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$28.5K $28.5K
37.30%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Utica, NY
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$45.85 $45.85
40.26%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$45.61 $45.61
14.87%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$83.5 $83.5
14.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$90 $90
60.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Utica, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$1,194 $1,194
99.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$1,288 $1,288
22.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$1,860 $1,860
156.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$2,612 $2,612
7.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$1,593 $1,593
125.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$1,587 $1,587
56.89%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Utica, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
$3,469 $3,469
52.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
6.53
1.07%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

Last update for Utica, NY: October 29, 2025

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