Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and West Caldwell, NJ Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and West Caldwell, NJ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,437 in West Caldwell, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,645 in West Caldwell, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,852 in West Caldwell, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 26% more than West Caldwell, NJ, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and West Caldwell, NJ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, West Caldwell, NJ by 82%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$16.67 $16.67

25.43%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$75.6 $75.6

29.89%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$13.04 $13.04

-9.05%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.01 $5.01

11.78%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.41 $2.41

27.39%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.21 $2.21

11.76%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$6.07 $6.07

17.63%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$6.96 $6.96

16.09%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.17 $1.17

-10.26%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$6.19 $6.19

-33.60%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$8.89 $8.89

-36.90%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$5.49 $5.49

-17.85%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$9.89 $9.89

44.29%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$10.17 $10.17

46.41%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$18.07 $18.07

6.20%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$6.42 $6.42

-19.94%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.14 $2.14

-17.29%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.35 $4.35

0.92%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.86 $4.86

-6.17%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$4.37 $4.37

-41.88%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$4.38 $4.38

-37.21%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.39 $2.39

1.26%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.23 $2.23

17.49%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$13.59 $13.59

9.79%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$13.73 $13.73

7.79%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.85 $1.85

32.97%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.66 $3.66

1.91%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.06 $2.06

20.39%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$5.90 $5.90

-46.10%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.41 $1.41

0.71%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$29.25 $29.25

-14.74%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.94 $0.94

12.77%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$29.4K $29.4K

8.64%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.8K $25.8K

1.06%

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

$185 $185

$74.0 $74.0

149.89%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$44.63 $44.63

38.34%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$56.0 $56.0

19.48%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.41 $43.41

73.16%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$12.62 $12.62

16.56%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,390 $1,390

45.35%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$23.3K $23.3K

69.05%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$37.93 $37.93

70.34%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$24.25 $24.25

116.29%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$76.2 $76.2

28.37%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$69.4 $69.4

112.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,593 $1,593

45.15%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,362 $1,362

16.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,583 $2,583

78.41%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,251 $2,251

23.46%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,563 $2,563

53.03%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,379 $2,379

9.82%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$3,039 $3,039

71.71%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.57

0.46%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for West Caldwell, NJ: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,593 in West Caldwell, NJ. 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 72% 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 $76.0 in West Caldwell, NJ. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $455 in West Caldwell, NJ – 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 West Caldwell, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,437 in West Caldwell, NJ – roughly 26% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,656 in West Caldwell, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in West Caldwell, NJ, 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 $76.0 in West Caldwell, NJ. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 2% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in West Caldwell, NJ, where all-in costs run around $2,437, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In West Caldwell, NJ 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 $2,437 in West Caldwell, NJ to $3,077 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 West Caldwell, NJ. 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.