Cost of Living Comparison Between Raleigh, NC and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Raleigh, NC and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,679 per month in Raleigh, NC vs $3,117 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,931 per month in Raleigh, NC vs $4,695 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,182 per month in Raleigh, NC vs $6,273 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Raleigh, NC is about 14% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Raleigh, NC and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Raleigh, NC by 96%, Chicago, IL by 128%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$23.34 $23.34

$19.92 $19.92

17.17%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.8 $98.8

$88.5 $88.5

11.61%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.93 $10.93

$12.94 $12.94

-15.53%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$5.54 $5.54

5.78%

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

$2.79 $2.79

$2.74 $2.74

1.82%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.25 $2.25

$2.36 $2.36

-4.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.02 $6.02

$7.12 $7.12

-15.45%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.85 $6.85

$8.73 $8.73

-21.53%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.90 $0.90

$1.34 $1.34

-32.84%

White Bread (500g)

$4.01 $4.01

$4.17 $4.17

-3.84%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.11 $3.11

$5.73 $5.73

-45.72%

Eggs

$4.67 $4.67

$4.89 $4.89

-4.50%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.28 $15.28

$14.77 $14.77

3.45%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.23 $10.23

$14.85 $14.85

-31.11%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.86 $17.86

$19.61 $19.61

-8.92%

Apples (1kg)

$6.76 $6.76

$5.57 $5.57

21.36%

Banana (1kg)

$1.25 $1.25

$1.92 $1.92

-34.90%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$4.17 $4.17

4.80%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.94 $5.94

$4.86 $4.86

22.22%

Potato (1kg)

$3.04 $3.04

$2.84 $2.84

7.04%

Onion (1kg)

$3.48 $3.48

$2.80 $2.80

24.29%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.12 $2.12

$2.20 $2.20

-3.64%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.15 $2.15

$3.06 $3.06

-29.74%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.59 $9.59

$16.16 $16.16

-40.66%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.03 $15.03

$14.82 $14.82

1.42%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.23 $2.23

$2.53 $2.53

-11.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.77 $2.77

$3.35 $3.35

-17.31%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.42 $1.42

$2.55 $2.55

-44.31%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$39.50 $39.50

$75.6 $75.6

-47.73%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.03 $3.03

$3.30 $3.30

-8.18%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.85 $1.85

$1.36 $1.36

36.03%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$18.06 $18.06

$25.12 $25.12

-28.11%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$1.17 $1.17

-17.95%

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

$35.9K $35.9K

$36.0K $36.0K

-0.21%

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

$25.6K $25.6K

$26.2K $26.2K

-2.42%

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

$195 $195

$191 $191

1.70%

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

$57.0 $57.0

$67.9 $67.9

-16.08%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.5 $67.5

$61.7 $61.7

9.37%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.32 $35.32

$63.5 $63.5

-44.35%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.91 $4.91

$27.14 $27.14

-81.91%

Cinema Ticket

$15.02 $15.02

$18.02 $18.02

-16.65%

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

$1,508 $1,508

$1,522 $1,522

-0.89%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.5K $24.5K

$31.3K $31.3K

-21.82%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 $54.7

$63.7 $63.7

-14.13%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$58.9 $58.9

$55.3 $55.3

6.62%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.2 $91.2

$100 $100

-9.21%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$142 $142

$153 $153

-7.32%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,715 $1,715

$2,406 $2,406

-28.73%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,296 $1,296

$1,653 $1,653

-21.59%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,057 $3,057

$4,577 $4,577

-33.20%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,009 $2,009

$2,771 $2,771

-27.50%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,856 $3,856

$4,031 $4,031

-4.34%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,189 $2,189

$2,745 $2,745

-20.25%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,421 $4,421

$4,804 $4,804

-7.99%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.2

6.38

-2.82%

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

Last update for Raleigh, NC: September 13, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,715 in Raleigh, NC 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 9% 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 $99.0 in Raleigh, NC versus $88.0 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $416 in Raleigh, NC vs $464 in Chicago, IL – so Raleigh, NC wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $2,679 in Raleigh, NC, $3,117 in Chicago, IL – roughly 16% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,019 per month in Raleigh, NC 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 Raleigh, NC, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 11% 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 $99.0 in Raleigh, NC and $88.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,679 in Raleigh, NC 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 $2,679 in Raleigh, NC to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Raleigh, NC. 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.