Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and West New York, NJ Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and West New York, NJ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,611 in West New York, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,901 in West New York, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,191 in West New York, NJ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 18% more than West New York, NJ, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and West New York, NJ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, West New York, NJ by 95%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$16.89 $16.89

23.80%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$99.4 $99.4

-1.29%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$11.96 $11.96

-0.84%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.93 $4.93

13.59%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.34 $2.34

31.20%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.09 $1.09

126.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$6.02 $6.02

18.60%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$6.79 $6.79

19.00%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.27 $1.27

-17.32%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$4.34 $4.34

-5.30%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$5.67 $5.67

-1.06%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$5.05 $5.05

-10.69%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$14.08 $14.08

1.35%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$10.27 $10.27

44.99%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$19.92 $19.92

-3.66%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$5.74 $5.74

-10.45%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.50 $1.50

18.00%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.40 $4.40

-0.23%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.14 $4.14

10.14%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.09 $3.09

-17.80%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.65 $2.65

3.77%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.83 $2.83

-14.49%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.93 $1.93

35.75%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$12.19 $12.19

22.40%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$14.97 $14.97

-1.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.76 $1.76

39.77%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$4.47 $4.47

-16.55%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$3.67 $3.67

-32.43%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$126 $126

-40.10%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$2.96 $2.96

7.43%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$2.13 $2.13

-33.33%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$41.37 $41.37

-39.71%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.84 $0.84

26.19%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$23.6K $23.6K

35.18%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.9K $25.9K

0.42%

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

$185 $185

$85.5 $85.5

116.41%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$50.2 $50.2

22.89%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$57.3 $57.3

16.71%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$28.44 $28.44

164.31%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$19.61 $19.61

-24.99%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,769 $1,769

14.21%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$16.1K $16.1K

145.14%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$49.18 $49.18

31.37%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$80.6 $80.6

-34.90%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$86.8 $86.8

12.71%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$98.9 $98.9

49.25%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,792 $1,792

29.07%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,373 $1,373

15.81%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,644 $2,644

74.27%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,245 $2,245

23.75%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$5,309 $5,309

-1.72%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.36

3.77%

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 New York, NJ: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,792 in West New York, 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 2% higher in West New York, NJ, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $99.0 in West New York, NJ. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $425 in West New York, NJ – so West New York, NJ 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 New York, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,611 in West New York, NJ – roughly 18% 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 $3,916 in West New York, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 5% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $99.0 in West New York, NJ. 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,611 in West New York, NJ. 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 $2,611 in West New York, NJ to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with West New York, 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.