Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Fairmont, WV and Chicago, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Fairmont, WV: $1,839 a month against $3,072 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $14,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

89

Cost of Living Index in Fairmont, WV
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Fairmont, WV Living Index
146

Cost of Living Index in Chicago, IL
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Chicago, IL Living Index

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Fairmont, WV

🇺🇸 United States

$1,839

/mo nomad

Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 United States

$3,072

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Fairmont, WV and in Chicago, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Fairmont, WV and in Chicago, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,839 per month in Fairmont, WV vs $3,072 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Fairmont, WV $1,839
Chicago, IL $3,072

A couple spends around $2,695 per month in Fairmont, WV vs $4,545 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Fairmont, WV $2,695
Chicago, IL $4,545

A family of three spends $3,551 per month in Fairmont, WV vs $6,019 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Fairmont, WV $3,551
Chicago, IL $6,019

Fairmont, WV is about 40% cheaper than Chicago, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Fairmont, WV and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Fairmont, WV by 36%, Chicago, IL by 127%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.20 $15.20

$20.39 $20.39

-25.45%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$67.7 $67.7

$88.6 $88.6

-23.55%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.72 $9.72

$12.85 $12.85

-24.36%

Cappuccino

$3.59 $3.59

$5.78 $5.78

-37.89%

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

$2.55 $2.55

$2.74 $2.74

-6.93%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 $1.95

$2.26 $2.26

-13.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.90 $4.90

$6.88 $6.88

-28.78%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.15 $8.15

$9.24 $9.24

-11.80%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.94 $0.94

$1.26 $1.26

-25.40%

White Bread (500g)

$3.53 $3.53

$3.55 $3.55

-0.56%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.05 $1.05

$5.38 $5.38

-80.48%

Eggs

$1.80 $1.80

$4.55 $4.55

-60.44%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.63 $5.63

$13.65 $13.65

-58.75%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.65 $6.65

$14.07 $14.07

-52.74%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.99 $10.99

$18.06 $18.06

-39.15%

Apples (1kg)

$4.46 $4.46

$5.16 $5.16

-13.57%

Banana (1kg)

$1.33 $1.33

$1.98 $1.98

-32.83%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.19 $2.19

$3.88 $3.88

-43.56%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.24 $2.24

$4.83 $4.83

-53.62%

Potato (1kg)

$1.98 $1.98

$2.81 $2.81

-29.54%

Onion (1kg)

$3.61 $3.61

$2.67 $2.67

35.21%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.99 $0.99

$2.07 $2.07

-52.17%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.17 $1.17

$3.03 $3.03

-61.39%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.80 $6.80

$13.90 $13.90

-51.08%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.18 $15.18

$15.05 $15.05

0.86%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 $1.71

$2.63 $2.63

-34.98%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.58 $3.58

$3.45 $3.45

3.77%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.72 $1.72

$2.43 $2.43

-29.22%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$52.9 $52.9

$75.3 $75.3

-29.76%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.17 $3.17

0.32%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.70 $1.70

12.94%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.37 $27.37

$24.90 $24.90

9.92%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.90 $0.90

$1.28 $1.28

-29.69%

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

$19.9K $19.9K

$35.8K $35.8K

-44.37%

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

$25.5K $25.5K

$26.8K $26.8K

-4.96%

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

$156 $156

$192 $192

-18.52%

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

$41.10 $41.10

$69.6 $69.6

-40.94%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.3 $67.3

$62.2 $62.2

8.14%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.92 $39.92

$47.79 $47.79

-16.47%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.10 $27.10

Cinema Ticket

$7.59 $7.59

$17.83 $17.83

-57.43%

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

$1,042 $1,042

$1,815 $1,815

-42.57%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.1K $13.1K

$40.6K $40.6K

-67.86%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$25.05 $25.05

$66.2 $66.2

-62.15%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.98 $27.98

$51.4 $51.4

-45.55%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.3 $88.3

$103 $103

-14.59%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$133 $133

$143 $143

-7.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$975 $975

$2,531 $2,531

-61.47%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$804 $804

$1,621 $1,621

-50.43%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,506 $1,506

$4,828 $4,828

-68.82%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,259 $1,259

$2,734 $2,734

-53.95%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,306 $1,306

$4,163 $4,163

-68.62%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,310 $1,310

$2,723 $2,723

-51.91%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,410 $4,410

$4,924 $4,924

-10.43%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.78

-26.25%

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

Last update for Fairmont, WV: October 31, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: November 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Fairmont, WV

$804 43.7%

Chicago, IL

$1.6K 52.8% 102% $817

Groceries & Markets

Fairmont, WV

$267 14.5%

Chicago, IL

$439 14.3% 64.7% $172

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Fairmont, WV

$265 14.4%

Chicago, IL

$324 10.5% 22.3% $59

Eating Out

Fairmont, WV

$253 13.7%

Chicago, IL

$344 11.2% 36.1% $91

Clothing & Footwear

Fairmont, WV

$123 6.7%

Chicago, IL

$164 5.3% 32.8% $40

Getting Around

Fairmont, WV

$73 3.9%

Chicago, IL

$97 3.2% 33.3% $24

Sport & Entertainment

Fairmont, WV

$55 3%

Chicago, IL

$83 2.7% 51.4% $28

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $975 in Fairmont, WV versus $2,531 in Chicago, IL. 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 12% 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 $68 in Fairmont, WV versus $89 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $267 vs $439 – making Fairmont, WV the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Fairmont, WV

🇺🇸 Chicago, IL

🕒 Local time

12:49 12:49 PM

11:49 11:49 AM

1 h behind Fairmont, WV

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

19,145

2,746,388

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.892 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Highest

Between locations

Fairmont, WV Chicago, IL 680 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight

From you

Fairmont, WV
Chicago, IL

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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

Fairmont, WV vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,839 in Fairmont, WV, $3,072 in Chicago, IL – Fairmont, WV comes out roughly 40% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,758 per month in Fairmont, WV and $4,608 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Fairmont, WV, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $975 there versus $2,531 in Chicago, IL.

Groceries cost about 65% more in Chicago, IL, though the gap depends on what you buy.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $68 in Fairmont, WV and $89 in Chicago, IL. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Fairmont, WV, where all-in costs run around $1,839, than in Chicago, IL at $3,072. In Fairmont, WV it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Fairmont, WV – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Fairmont, WV. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.