Cost of Living Comparison Between Molde and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Molde and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,442 per month in Molde vs $3,117 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,697 per month in Molde vs $4,695 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,952 per month in Molde vs $6,273 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Molde is about 22% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Molde and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Molde by 79%, Chicago, IL by 128%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.59 NOK 288

$19.92 $19.92

53.56%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$85.8 NOK 808

$88.5 $88.5

-3.07%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$15.94 NOK 150

$12.94 $12.94

23.18%

Cappuccino

$5.17 NOK 48.70

$5.54 $5.54

-6.68%

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

$3.29 NOK 31.01

$2.74 $2.74

20.07%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.58 NOK 33.70

$2.36 $2.36

51.69%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$11.67 NOK 110

$7.12 $7.12

63.90%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.52 NOK 99.2

$8.73 $8.73

20.50%

Milk (1 liter)

$3.13 NOK 29.46

$1.34 $1.34

133.58%

White Bread (500g)

$4.23 NOK 39.85

$4.17 $4.17

1.44%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.11 NOK 38.69

$5.73 $5.73

-28.27%

Eggs

$5.24 NOK 49.35

$4.89 $4.89

7.16%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$18.57 NOK 175

$14.77 $14.77

25.73%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.04 NOK 151

$14.85 $14.85

8.01%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

Apples (1kg)

$3.48 NOK 32.76

$5.57 $5.57

-37.52%

Banana (1kg)

$3.28 NOK 30.89

$1.92 $1.92

70.83%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.08 NOK 28.97

$4.17 $4.17

-26.14%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.93 NOK 46.41

$4.86 $4.86

1.44%

Potato (1kg)

$2.63 NOK 24.80

$2.84 $2.84

-7.39%

Onion (1kg)

$2.43 NOK 22.88

$2.80 $2.80

-13.21%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.77 NOK 26.05

$2.20 $2.20

25.91%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$20.59 NOK 194

$16.16 $16.16

27.41%

Wine (Bottle)

$23.72 NOK 223

$14.82 $14.82

60.05%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.17 NOK 39.25

$2.53 $2.53

64.82%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.19 NOK 77.1

$3.35 $3.35

144.48%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$5.20 NOK 48.98

$2.55 $2.55

103.92%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$84.8 NOK 798

$75.6 $75.6

12.15%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$16.35 NOK 154

$3.30 $3.30

395.45%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.31 NOK 21.75

$1.17 $1.17

97.44%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

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

$26.2K $26.2K

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

$191 $191

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

$21.65 NOK 204

$67.9 $67.9

-68.12%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$84.4 NOK 795

$61.7 $61.7

36.88%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$59.7 NOK 563

$63.5 $63.5

-5.89%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.95 NOK 178

$18.02 $18.02

5.16%

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

$214 NOK 2,013

$1,522 $1,522

-85.96%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$113 NOK 1,060

$63.7 $63.7

76.68%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$139 NOK 1,305

$100 $100

37.92%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$162 NOK 1,529

$153 $153

5.89%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,288 NOK 12.1K

$2,406 $2,406

-46.47%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$981 NOK 9,241

$1,653 $1,653

-40.65%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,899 NOK 17.9K

$4,577 $4,577

-58.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,678 NOK 15.8K

$2,771 $2,771

-39.46%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,356 NOK 41.0K

$4,804 $4,804

-9.34%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.8

6.38

-24.76%

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

Last update for Molde: September 14, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,288 in Molde versus $2,406 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 10% 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 $86.0 in Molde versus $88.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $429 vs $464 – making Molde 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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $2,442 in Molde, $3,117 in Chicago, IL – roughly 28% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,663 per month in Molde and $4,676 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Molde, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 8% 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $86.0 in Molde and $88.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,442 in Molde and $3,117 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 $2,442 in Molde to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Molde. 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.