Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Elgin, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Elgin, IL

๐Ÿ˜ Solo nomad: New York, NY is 102.9% more expensive than Elgin, IL without rent, and 89% more expensive with rent.
๐Ÿ˜ Family of 3: New York, NY is 90.5% more expensive than Elgin, IL without rent, and 110.1% more expensive with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
New York, NY
Elgin, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$29.68 $29.68
$15.15 $15.15
95.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$144 $144
$59.5 $59.5
142.48%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.43 $12.43
$10.04 $10.04
23.80%
Cappuccino
$5.84 $5.84
$4.04 $4.04
44.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.26 $3.26
$2.63 $2.63
23.95%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58 $2.58
$1.97 $1.97
30.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.24 $8.24
$6.12 $6.12
34.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$11.86 $11.86
$4.89 $4.89
142.54%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
New York, NY
Elgin, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.56 $1.56
$0.74 $0.74
110.81%
White Bread (500g)
$5.23 $5.23
$3.69 $3.69
41.73%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$8.11 $8.11
$5.37 $5.37
51.02%
Eggs
$7.25 $7.25
$3.95 $3.95
83.54%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.08 $17.08
$11.06 $11.06
54.43%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.24 $16.24
$13.21 $13.21
22.94%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.02 $20.02
$10.81 $10.81
85.20%
Apples (1kg)
$7.49 $7.49
$2.24 $2.24
234.37%
Banana (1kg)
$2.55 $2.55
$1.08 $1.08
136.11%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.82 $5.82
$1.63 $1.63
257.06%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.52 $6.52
$2.71 $2.71
140.59%
Potato (1kg)
$3.72 $3.72
$2.66 $2.66
39.85%
Onion (1kg)
$3.9 $3.9
$2.92 $2.92
33.56%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.07 $3.07
$1.96 $1.96
56.63%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.57 $2.57
$2.06 $2.06
24.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$19.21 $19.21
$10.12 $10.12
89.82%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.79 $17.79
$11.78 $11.78
51.02%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.01 $3.01
$2.29 $2.29
31.44%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 $3.72
$4.75 $4.75
-21.68%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
New York, NY
Elgin, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.92 $2.92
$2.03 $2.03
43.84%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$134 $134
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.13 $5.13
$4.37 $4.37
17.39%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.15 $2.15
$2.22 $2.22
-3.15%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$41.57 $41.57
$27.82 $27.82
49.42%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$0.83 $0.83
14.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35K $35K
$24.6K $24.6K
42.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.7K $27.7K
$25.5K $25.5K
8.65%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
New York, NY
Elgin, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$179 $179
$98.6 $98.6
81.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$60 $60
$51.7 $51.7
15.95%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.8 $63.8
$50.1 $50.1
27.51%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
New York, NY
Elgin, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$141 $141
$42.98 $42.98
227.38%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$63.9 $63.9
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$19.9 $19.9
$15.13 $15.13
31.53%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
New York, NY
Elgin, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$3,206 $3,206
$1,654 $1,654
93.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$56.5K $56.5K
$24.5K $24.5K
130.43%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
New York, NY
Elgin, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.7 $65.7
$40.7 $40.7
61.45%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.75 $48.75
$47.51 $47.51
2.61%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$111 $111
$101 $101
10.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$172 $172
$131 $131
31.20%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
New York, NY
Elgin, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,165 $4,165
$1,594 $1,594
161.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,653 $2,653
$1,372 $1,372
93.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$8,412 $8,412
$2,657 $2,657
216.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$5,277 $5,277
$2,267 $2,267
132.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$15.6K $15.6K
$2,725 $2,725
473.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$11.2K $11.2K
$2,428 $2,428
359.55%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
New York, NY
Elgin, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,616 $5,616
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.44
6.55
-1.68%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for New York, NY: October 28, 2025

Last update for Elgin, IL: October 29, 2025

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