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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,744 per month in Hampton, NH vs $3,068 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,984 per month in Hampton, NH vs $4,648 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,225 per month in Hampton, NH vs $6,229 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Hampton, NH is about 11% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Hampton, NH and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Hampton, NH by 105%, Chicago, IL by 130%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hampton, NH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.23 $19.23
$20.17 $20.17
-4.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$99.5 $99.5
0.83%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.28 $13.28
$12.23 $12.23
8.59%
Cappuccino
$4.63 $4.63
$5.60 $5.60
-17.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.77 $2.77
$3.12 $3.12
-11.22%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07 $2.07
$2.43 $2.43
-14.81%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.09 $6.09
$6.93 $6.93
-12.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.48 $5.48
$8.20 $8.20
-33.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hampton, NH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.92 $0.92
$1.08 $1.08
-14.81%
White Bread (500g)
$3.34 $3.34
$3.97 $3.97
-15.87%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.11 $3.11
$5.58 $5.58
-44.27%
Eggs
$6.58 $6.58
$4.47 $4.47
47.20%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.65 $8.65
$14.50 $14.50
-40.34%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.67 $9.67
$15.08 $15.08
-35.88%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.00 $20.00
$19.34 $19.34
3.41%
Apples (1kg)
$6.97 $6.97
$5.37 $5.37
29.80%
Banana (1kg)
$2.17 $2.17
$1.76 $1.76
23.30%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.89 $5.89
$4.32 $4.32
36.34%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.85 $5.85
$4.41 $4.41
32.65%
Potato (1kg)
$4.36 $4.36
$2.54 $2.54
71.65%
Onion (1kg)
$4.36 $4.36
$2.70 $2.70
61.48%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.22 $3.22
$2.49 $2.49
29.32%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.28 $2.28
$2.60 $2.60
-12.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.34 $8.34
$14.80 $14.80
-43.65%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.97 $14.97
$15.18 $15.18
-1.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.17 $2.17
$2.47 $2.47
-12.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99 $1.99
$3.60 $3.60
-44.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Hampton, NH
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.04 $2.04
$2.54 $2.54
-19.69%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$76.3 $76.3
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.97 $3.97
$3.30 $3.30
20.30%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.76 $1.76
$1.38 $1.38
27.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.28 $29.28
$25.36 $25.36
15.46%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.85 $0.85
$1.09 $1.09
-22.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.1K $30.1K
$31.6K $31.6K
-4.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$26.6K $26.6K
-0.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hampton, NH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$320 $320
$186 $186
72.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$73.9 $73.9
$62.9 $62.9
17.59%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.2 $64.2
$66.2 $66.2
-3.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hampton, NH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.14 $42.14
$77.6 $77.6
-45.71%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.16 $13.16
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.62 $14.62
$14.74 $14.74
-0.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hampton, NH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,492 $1,492
$2,039 $2,039
-26.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.1K $23.1K
$39.9K $39.9K
-42.16%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hampton, NH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.4 $52.4
$63.9 $63.9
-17.92%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.04 $33.04
$51.2 $51.2
-35.43%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$66.5 $66.5
$95.2 $95.2
-30.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.6 $83.6
$144 $144
-41.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hampton, NH
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,627 $1,627
$2,305 $2,305
-29.45%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,328 $1,328
$1,575 $1,575
-15.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,648 $2,648
$4,688 $4,688
-43.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,216 $2,216
$2,737 $2,737
-19.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,891 $2,891
$4,063 $4,063
-28.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,249 $2,249
$2,696 $2,696
-16.59%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hampton, NH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$5,019 $5,019
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.3
6.6
-4.55%

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

Last update for Hampton, NH: July 13, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,627 in Hampton, NH versus $2,305 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $100 in Hampton, NH versus $99.0 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $423 in Hampton, NH vs $448 in Chicago, IL – so Hampton, 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
Hampton, NH vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Hampton, NH and in Chicago, IL compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,744 in Hampton, NH, $3,068 in Chicago, IL – roughly 12% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Hampton, NH compared to Chicago, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,115 per month in Hampton, NH and $4,602 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Hampton, NH and Chicago, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Hampton, NH, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $100 in Hampton, NH and $99.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 6% 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.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,744 in Hampton, NH and $3,068 in Chicago, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Hampton, NH and Chicago, IL?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,744 in Hampton, NH to $3,068 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Hampton, NH or Chicago, IL safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Hampton, NH and Chicago, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Hampton, 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.

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