Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Huntington, NY and Chicago, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Huntington, NY: $2,824 a month against $3,139 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $3,800 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Chicago, IL outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Huntington, NY
🇺🇸 United States
$2,824
/mo nomad
Chicago, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$3,139
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Huntington, NY 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 Huntington, NY and in Chicago, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,824 per month in Huntington, NY vs $3,139 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

  • Huntington, NY $2,824
  • Chicago, IL $3,139

A couple spends around $4,147 per month in Huntington, NY vs $4,627 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

  • Huntington, NY $4,147
  • Chicago, IL $4,627

A family of three spends $5,470 per month in Huntington, NY vs $6,115 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

  • Huntington, NY $5,470
  • Chicago, IL $6,115

Huntington, NY is about 10% cheaper than Chicago, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Huntington, NY and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Huntington, NY by 108%, Chicago, IL by 132%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Huntington, NY
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$24.92 $24.92
$20.65 $20.65
20.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$72.1 $72.1
$90.2 $90.2
-20.08%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.17 $11.17
$12.94 $12.94
-13.68%
Cappuccino
$5.65 $5.65
$5.60 $5.60
0.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12 $2.12
$2.64 $2.64
-19.70%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 $1.58
$2.27 $2.27
-30.40%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.20 $8.20
$6.98 $6.98
17.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.04 $8.04
$8.83 $8.83
-8.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Huntington, NY
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$1.27 $1.27
-14.96%
White Bread (500g)
$2.50 $2.50
$3.80 $3.80
-34.21%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$7.02 $7.02
$5.30 $5.30
32.45%
Eggs
$5.23 $5.23
$4.76 $4.76
9.87%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.37 $12.37
$13.96 $13.96
-11.39%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.76 $11.76
$14.61 $14.61
-19.51%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.64 $13.64
$18.77 $18.77
-27.33%
Apples (1kg)
$4.42 $4.42
$5.19 $5.19
-14.84%
Banana (1kg)
$1.73 $1.73
$1.98 $1.98
-12.63%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.21 $6.21
$3.93 $3.93
58.02%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.85 $4.85
$4.96 $4.96
-2.22%
Potato (1kg)
$3.27 $3.27
$2.76 $2.76
18.48%
Onion (1kg)
$3.70 $3.70
$2.76 $2.76
34.06%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.94 $1.94
$2.22 $2.22
-12.61%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.71 $1.71
$2.98 $2.98
-42.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.53 $11.53
$14.02 $14.02
-17.76%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.20 $20.20
$15.28 $15.28
32.20%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 $1.75
$2.58 $2.58
-32.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52 $3.52
$3.50 $3.50
0.57%
🚌 Getting Around
Huntington, NY
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.90 $1.90
$2.47 $2.47
-23.08%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$197 $197
$74.8 $74.8
163.22%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.04 $3.04
$3.34 $3.34
-8.98%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.07 $2.07
$1.43 $1.43
44.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.91 $9.91
$24.32 $24.32
-59.25%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.01 $1.01
$1.26 $1.26
-19.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.3K $27.3K
$35.0K $35.0K
-21.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6K $26.6K
$26.1K $26.1K
1.84%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Huntington, NY
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$208 $208
$193 $193
7.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$74.2 $74.2
$68.3 $68.3
8.69%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.0 $66.0
$61.3 $61.3
7.68%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Huntington, NY
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.48 $41.48
$54.1 $54.1
-23.36%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$27.92 $27.92
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.42 $14.42
$17.74 $17.74
-18.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Huntington, NY
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,253 $2,253
$1,652 $1,652
36.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.9K $23.9K
$31.1K $31.1K
-23.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Huntington, NY
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.13 $25.13
$66.1 $66.1
-61.96%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.9 $56.9
$51.2 $51.2
10.99%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$75.9 $75.9
$100 $100
-24.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$101 $101
$141 $141
-28.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Huntington, NY
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,259 $2,259
$2,446 $2,446
-7.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,295 $1,295
$1,678 $1,678
-22.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,510 $2,510
$4,717 $4,717
-46.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,168 $2,168
$2,795 $2,795
-22.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,379 $2,379
$4,105 $4,105
-42.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,267 $2,267
$2,650 $2,650
-14.43%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Huntington, NY
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,146 $4,146
$4,866 $4,866
-14.78%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6
6.81
-11.89%

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

Last update for Huntington, NY: October 19, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Huntington, NY
$1.3K
Chicago, IL
$1.7K 29.6% $383
Groceries & Markets
Huntington, NY
$405
Chicago, IL
$449 11% $44
Eating Out
Huntington, NY
$373
Chicago, IL
$343 7.8% $29
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Huntington, NY
$348
Chicago, IL
$322 7.4% $26
Getting Around
Huntington, NY
$218
Chicago, IL
$95 56.3% $123
Clothing & Footwear
Huntington, NY
$116
Chicago, IL
$161 38.7% $45
Sport & Entertainment
Huntington, NY
$70
Chicago, IL
$90 27.4% $19

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,259 in Huntington, NY versus $2,446 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 17% 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 $72.0 in Huntington, NY versus $90.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $405 vs $449 – making Huntington, NY the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Huntington, NY
🇺🇸 Chicago, IL
🕒 Local time
04:11 4:11 AM
03:11 3:11 AM
1 h behind Huntington, NY
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
49,138
2,746,388
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Huntington, NY Chicago, IL 1,190 km ≈ 2 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Huntington, NY
  • 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
Huntington, NY vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Huntington, NY and in Chicago, IL compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,824 in Huntington, NY, $3,139 in Chicago, IL – roughly 11% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in transport.
What salary covers living expenses in Huntington, NY compared to Chicago, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,237 per month in Huntington, NY and $4,708 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Huntington, NY and Chicago, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Huntington, NY, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 11% 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 has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $72.0 in Huntington, NY and $90.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,824 in Huntington, NY and $3,139 in Chicago, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Huntington, NY and Chicago, IL?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,824 in Huntington, NY to $3,139 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Huntington, NY 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 Huntington, NY and Chicago, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Huntington, NY. 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.

Huntington, NY vs other spots: cost of living compared

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