Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Whitefield, NH Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Whitefield, NH

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,653 in Whitefield, NH, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,962 in Whitefield, NH, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,272 in Whitefield, NH, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 15% more than Whitefield, NH, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Whitefield, NH sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Whitefield, NH by 98%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$29.93 $29.93

-30.94%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$119 $119

-15.34%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.22 $12.22

-2.95%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$6.27 $6.27

-11.64%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.84 $2.84

7.75%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.37 $2.37

4.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$6.11 $6.11

13.26%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$8.07 $8.07

0.74%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.03 $1.03

0.97%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$3.40 $3.40

15.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$5.48 $5.48

-1.09%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$2.35 $2.35

90.64%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$13.04 $13.04

11.35%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$10.79 $10.79

40.96%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$15.36 $15.36

25.33%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$3.49 $3.49

54.44%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.66 $1.66

1.81%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$4.39 $4.39

-1.59%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$4.61 $4.61

-2.17%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$3.40 $3.40

-24.71%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.29 $3.29

-17.93%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.43 $2.43

-0.82%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.52 $1.52

72.37%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$8.89 $8.89

68.95%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$15.26 $15.26

-3.60%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.88 $1.88

31.91%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$2.03 $2.03

81.77%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.94 $1.94

31.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$1.99 $1.99

65.33%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.63 $1.63

-12.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$29.16 $29.16

-15.23%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.91 $0.91

19.78%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$29.2K $29.2K

8.68%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$36.4K $36.4K

-27.38%

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

$183 $183

$208 $208

-11.87%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$39.79 $39.79

55.39%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$60.1 $60.1

8.15%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$43.07 $43.07

76.64%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$11.16 $11.16

32.17%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$1,304 $1,304

57.67%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$23.2K $23.2K

66.16%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$25.19 $25.19

153.79%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$23.62 $23.62

118.42%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$99.3 $99.3

-2.02%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$100.0 $100.0

47.26%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,586 $1,586

48.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,363 $1,363

15.99%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,588 $2,588

81.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,260 $2,260

20.16%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$2,464 $2,464

61.40%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,034 $2,034

29.37%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$2,299 $2,299

105.48%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.71

-1.64%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Whitefield, NH: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,586 in Whitefield, NH. 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 105% 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $119 in Whitefield, NH. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $372 in Whitefield, NH – so Whitefield, NH 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 Whitefield, NH: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,653 in Whitefield, NH – roughly 15% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,979 in Whitefield, NH. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Whitefield, NH, 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 $100 in Chicago, IL and $119 in Whitefield, NH. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 20% 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.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $2,653 in Whitefield, NH. 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 $2,653 in Whitefield, NH to $3,051 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 Whitefield, NH. 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.