Cost of Living Comparison Between Providence, RI and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Providence, RI and Chicago, IL

๐Ÿ™‚ Solo nomad: Providence, RI is 10.1% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 4.7% more expensive with rent.
๐Ÿ™‚ Family of 3: Providence, RI is 0.5% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 14.7% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Providence, RI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.74 $18.74
$20.82 $20.82
-9.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$99.1 $99.1
$100 $100
-1.29%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.17 $13.17
$11.97 $11.97
10.03%
Cappuccino
$4.6 $4.6
$5.56 $5.56
-17.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.68 $2.68
$3.11 $3.11
-13.83%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 $1.96
$2.42 $2.42
-19.01%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.93 $5.93
$6.86 $6.86
-13.56%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.28 $7.28
$8.45 $8.45
-13.85%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Providence, RI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.34 $1.34
$1.04 $1.04
28.85%
White Bread (500g)
$3.38 $3.38
$4.15 $4.15
-18.55%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.15 $3.15
$5.52 $5.52
-42.93%
Eggs
$5.47 $5.47
$4.65 $4.65
17.63%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.67 $10.67
$14.33 $14.33
-25.54%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.83 $9.83
$14.88 $14.88
-33.94%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.56 $17.56
$19.34 $19.34
-9.20%
Apples (1kg)
$4.59 $4.59
$5.17 $5.17
-11.22%
Banana (1kg)
$1.48 $1.48
$1.71 $1.71
-13.45%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.73 $4.73
$4.41 $4.41
7.26%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.97 $4.97
$4.51 $4.51
10.20%
Potato (1kg)
$2.9 $2.9
$2.53 $2.53
14.62%
Onion (1kg)
$3.41 $3.41
$2.74 $2.74
24.45%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.19 $3.19
$2.43 $2.43
31.28%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.84 $1.84
$2.7 $2.7
-31.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.07 $11.07
$15.19 $15.19
-27.12%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.45 $13.45
$16.42 $16.42
-18.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$2.35 $2.35
-8.94%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95 $1.95
$3.7 $3.7
-47.30%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Providence, RI
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.96 $1.96
$2.53 $2.53
-22.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$71 $71
$74.1 $74.1
-4.26%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.06 $4.06
$3.34 $3.34
21.56%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.06 $2.06
$1.42 $1.42
45.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$27.08 $27.08
$25.42 $25.42
6.53%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.83 $0.83
$1.08 $1.08
-23.15%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5K $29.5K
$32.4K $32.4K
-9.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.7K $25.7K
$26.2K $26.2K
-2.16%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Providence, RI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$320 $320
$188 $188
69.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.7 $57.7
$63.7 $63.7
-9.43%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.5 $65.5
$65.2 $65.2
0.48%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Providence, RI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.4 $62.4
$76.7 $76.7
-18.67%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$59 $59
$13.03 $13.03
352.57%
Cinema Ticket
$14.94 $14.94
$14.93 $14.93
0.07%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Providence, RI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,517 $1,517
$2,063 $2,063
-26.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$28.5K $28.5K
$39.2K $39.2K
-27.33%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Providence, RI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.5 $51.5
$64.3 $64.3
-19.90%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.77 $32.77
$52.4 $52.4
-37.45%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$66.4 $66.4
$95.2 $95.2
-30.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$84.6 $84.6
$145 $145
-41.50%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Providence, RI
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,120 $2,120
$2,378 $2,378
-10.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,726 $1,726
$1,584 $1,584
8.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,780 $2,780
$4,763 $4,763
-41.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,196 $2,196
$2,815 $2,815
-21.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,274 $3,274
$3,588 $3,588
-8.74%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,323 $3,323
$2,490 $2,490
33.42%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Providence, RI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,648 $3,648
$5,275 $5,275
-30.84%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.6
-2.27%

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

Last update for Providence, RI: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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