Cost of Living Comparison Between Passaic, NJ and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Passaic, NJ and Chicago, IL

🙂 Solo nomad: Passaic, NJ is 9.2% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 7.7% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Passaic, NJ is 12% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 12.7% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Passaic, NJ
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.93 $16.93
$20.82 $20.82
-18.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$99.8 $99.8
$100 $100
-0.54%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.1 $12.1
$11.97 $11.97
1.09%
Cappuccino
$5.98 $5.98
$5.56 $5.56
7.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36 $2.36
$3.11 $3.11
-24.12%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59 $1.59
$2.42 $2.42
-34.30%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.87 $6.87
$6.86 $6.86
0.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.88 $6.88
$8.45 $8.45
-18.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Passaic, NJ
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.28 $1.28
$1.04 $1.04
23.08%
White Bread (500g)
$4.2 $4.2
$4.15 $4.15
1.20%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.69 $5.69
$5.52 $5.52
3.08%
Eggs
$6.69 $6.69
$4.65 $4.65
43.87%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.65 $17.65
$14.33 $14.33
23.17%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.4 $10.4
$14.88 $14.88
-30.11%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.58 $19.58
$19.34 $19.34
1.24%
Apples (1kg)
$5.8 $5.8
$5.17 $5.17
12.19%
Banana (1kg)
$2.55 $2.55
$1.71 $1.71
49.12%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.16 $4.16
$4.41 $4.41
-5.67%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.44 $4.44
$4.51 $4.51
-1.55%
Potato (1kg)
$3.69 $3.69
$2.53 $2.53
45.85%
Onion (1kg)
$3.95 $3.95
$2.74 $2.74
44.16%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.08 $3.08
$2.43 $2.43
26.75%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$2.7 $2.7
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$17.39 $17.39
$15.19 $15.19
14.48%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.22 $18.22
$16.42 $16.42
10.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 $1.76
$2.35 $2.35
-25.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.82 $3.82
$3.7 $3.7
3.24%
🚌 Getting Around
Passaic, NJ
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.94 $1.94
$2.53 $2.53
-23.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$122 $122
$74.1 $74.1
64.63%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.05 $3.05
$3.34 $3.34
-8.68%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.11 $2.11
$1.42 $1.42
48.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$41.41 $41.41
$25.42 $25.42
62.90%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.98 $0.98
$1.08 $1.08
-9.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.8K $23.8K
$32.4K $32.4K
-26.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.4K $25.4K
$26.2K $26.2K
-3.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Passaic, NJ
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$185 $185
$188 $188
-1.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$54.6 $54.6
$63.7 $63.7
-14.32%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.8 $57.8
$65.2 $65.2
-11.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Passaic, NJ
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.31 $42.31
$76.7 $76.7
-44.85%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$19.71 $19.71
$14.93 $14.93
32.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Passaic, NJ
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,481 $1,481
$2,063 $2,063
-28.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.2K $16.2K
$39.2K $39.2K
-58.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Passaic, NJ
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.3 $50.3
$64.3 $64.3
-21.74%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.42 $48.42
$52.4 $52.4
-7.58%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.3 $87.3
$95.2 $95.2
-8.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$99.4 $99.4
$145 $145
-31.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Passaic, NJ
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,571 $1,571
$2,378 $2,378
-33.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,338 $1,338
$1,584 $1,584
-15.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,678 $2,678
$4,763 $4,763
-43.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,204 $2,204
$2,815 $2,815
-21.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,015 $3,015
$3,588 $3,588
-15.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,134 $2,134
$2,490 $2,490
-14.31%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Passaic, NJ
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$5,275 $5,275
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.44
6.6
-2.42%

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

Last update for Passaic, NJ: October 27, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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