Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Williamsport, PA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Williamsport, PA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,331 in Williamsport, PA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,418 in Williamsport, PA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,505 in Williamsport, PA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 34% more than Williamsport, PA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Williamsport, PA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Williamsport, PA by 70%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$20.03 $20.03

-0.55%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$60.0 $60.0

47.58%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$10.03 $10.03

29.01%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.52 $4.52

22.57%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$1.94 $1.94

41.24%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.76 $1.76

34.09%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$6.63 $6.63

7.39%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$3.01 $3.01

190.03%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.15 $1.15

16.52%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.55 $3.55

17.46%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$6.21 $6.21

-7.73%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$6.84 $6.84

-28.51%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$19.13 $19.13

-22.79%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$20.26 $20.26

-26.70%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$24.16 $24.16

-18.83%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$7.67 $7.67

-27.38%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$2.97 $2.97

-35.35%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$7.28 $7.28

-42.72%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$8.19 $8.19

-40.66%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$4.93 $4.93

-42.39%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$3.24 $3.24

-13.58%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.84 $2.84

-22.54%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$3.08 $3.08

-0.65%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$9.29 $9.29

73.95%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$18.16 $18.16

-18.39%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.76 $1.76

43.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.73 $3.73

-10.19%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$4.07 $4.07

-18.92%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$2.04 $2.04

-33.33%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$24.71 $24.71

1.66%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.94 $0.94

24.47%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$36.1K $36.1K

-0.32%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$24.9K $24.9K

5.45%

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

$191 $191

$216 $216

-11.43%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$52.1 $52.1

30.49%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$30.55 $30.55

101.93%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$45.43 $45.43

39.71%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$15.39 $15.39

17.09%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$2,021 $2,021

-24.69%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$46.82 $46.82

36.01%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$48.63 $48.63

13.61%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$120 $120

-16.22%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$135 $135

13.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,305 $1,305

84.40%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$932 $932

77.34%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$1,565 $1,565

192.45%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$1,387 $1,387

99.75%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$1,422 $1,422

183.52%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$1,448 $1,448

89.61%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$4,030 $4,030

19.22%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.1

4.59%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Williamsport, PA: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,305 in Williamsport, PA. 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 19% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $60.0 in Williamsport, PA. Groceries tell a different story – $464 in Chicago, IL vs $579 in Williamsport, PA – 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 Williamsport, PA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,331 in Williamsport, PA – roughly 34% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,497 in Williamsport, PA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Williamsport, PA, 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $60.0 in Williamsport, PA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 25% 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 Williamsport, PA, where all-in costs run around $2,331, than in Chicago, IL at $3,117. In Williamsport, PA 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 $2,331 in Williamsport, PA to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Williamsport, PA. 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.