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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,056 per month in Islip, NY vs $3,184 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,685 per month in Islip, NY vs $4,725 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,314 per month in Islip, NY vs $6,266 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Islip, NY is about 67% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Islip, NY sits 23% below the global median, while Chicago, IL is 131% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.64 $19.64

$20.26 $20.26

-3.06%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$58.9 $58.9

$88.8 $88.8

-33.68%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.21 $11.21

$13.16 $13.16

-14.82%

Cappuccino

$3.94 $3.94

$5.77 $5.77

-31.72%

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

$2.03 $2.03

$2.63 $2.63

-22.81%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.54 $1.54

$2.34 $2.34

-34.19%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.18 $8.18

$7.06 $7.06

15.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.92 $7.92

$9.18 $9.18

-13.73%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.75 $0.75

$1.30 $1.30

-42.31%

White Bread (500g)

$2.69 $2.69

$4.05 $4.05

-33.58%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.22 $4.22

$5.69 $5.69

-25.83%

Eggs

$2.23 $2.23

$4.85 $4.85

-54.02%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.32 $12.32

$15.08 $15.08

-18.30%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.16 $6.16

$14.87 $14.87

-58.57%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.11 $11.11

$19.28 $19.28

-42.38%

Apples (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$5.68 $5.68

-23.24%

Banana (1kg)

$1.29 $1.29

$1.93 $1.93

-33.16%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.13 $2.13

$4.10 $4.10

-48.05%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.78 $2.78

$5.11 $5.11

-45.60%

Potato (1kg)

$1.72 $1.72

$2.92 $2.92

-41.10%

Onion (1kg)

$2.24 $2.24

$2.77 $2.77

-19.13%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.49 $1.49

$2.30 $2.30

-35.22%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.06 $1.06

$3.04 $3.04

-65.13%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.28 $11.28

$15.93 $15.93

-29.19%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.78 $12.78

$15.06 $15.06

-15.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 $1.71

$2.53 $2.53

-32.41%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.49 $5.49

$3.48 $3.48

57.76%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.46 $4.46

$2.53 $2.53

76.28%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.8 $74.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.08 $3.08

$3.28 $3.28

-6.10%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.00 $2.00

$1.36 $1.36

47.06%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.74 $23.74

$22.55 $22.55

5.28%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.01 $1.01

$1.22 $1.22

-17.21%

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

$37.3K $37.3K

$36.1K $36.1K

3.39%

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

$25.4K $25.4K

$26.0K $26.0K

-2.26%

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

$79.9 $79.9

$188 $188

-57.57%

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

$70.6 $70.6

$69.0 $69.0

2.25%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.4 $67.4

$63.6 $63.6

6.00%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$58.3 $58.3

$63.4 $63.4

-8.12%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.11 $27.11

Cinema Ticket

$14.37 $14.37

$17.90 $17.90

-19.72%

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

$2,290 $2,290

$1,526 $1,526

50.07%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.7K $23.7K

$31.9K $31.9K

-25.73%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.72 $41.72

$62.1 $62.1

-32.79%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.08 $27.08

$56.4 $56.4

-51.97%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72.4 $72.4

$101 $101

-28.21%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$90.2 $90.2

$156 $156

-42.25%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,015 $2,015

$2,342 $2,342

-14.00%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,698 $1,698

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,406 $3,406

$4,576 $4,576

-25.55%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,806 $2,806

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,130 $4,130

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,740 $2,740

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,940 $3,940

$4,891 $4,891

-19.43%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.17

6.38

-3.29%

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

Last update for Islip, NY: September 7, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,015 in Islip, NY versus $2,342 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 24% 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 $59.0 in Islip, NY versus $89.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $287 vs $465 – making Islip, NY the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Islip, NY vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,056 in Islip, NY, $3,184 in Chicago, IL – roughly 201% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,584 per month in Islip, NY and $4,776 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Islip, NY, 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 $59.0 in Islip, NY and $89.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 62% 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 $1,056 in Islip, NY and $3,184 in Chicago, IL. 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 $1,056 in Islip, NY to $3,184 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Islip, 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.