Cost of Living Comparison Between Scranton, PA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Scranton, PA and Chicago, IL

๐Ÿ™‚ Solo nomad: Scranton, PA is 27.6% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 26.1% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ™‚ Family of 3: Scranton, PA is 30.7% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 36.5% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Scranton, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.22 $12.22
$20.82 $20.82
-41.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$89.1 $89.1
$100 $100
-11.19%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.9 $5.9
$11.97 $11.97
-50.71%
Cappuccino
$4.41 $4.41
$5.56 $5.56
-20.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51 $1.51
$3.11 $3.11
-51.45%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.98 $0.98
$2.42 $2.42
-59.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.1 $6.1
$6.86 $6.86
-11.08%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.13 $7.13
$8.45 $8.45
-15.62%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Scranton, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.79 $0.79
$1.04 $1.04
-24.04%
White Bread (500g)
$1.44 $1.44
$4.15 $4.15
-65.30%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.23 $2.23
$5.52 $5.52
-59.60%
Eggs
$3.44 $3.44
$4.65 $4.65
-26.02%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.16 $13.16
$14.33 $14.33
-8.16%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.11 $10.11
$14.88 $14.88
-32.06%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.89 $10.89
$19.34 $19.34
-43.69%
Apples (1kg)
$3.7 $3.7
$5.17 $5.17
-28.43%
Banana (1kg)
$1.32 $1.32
$1.71 $1.71
-22.81%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.21 $3.21
$4.41 $4.41
-27.21%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.32 $4.32
$4.51 $4.51
-4.21%
Potato (1kg)
$3.41 $3.41
$2.53 $2.53
34.78%
Onion (1kg)
$2.83 $2.83
$2.74 $2.74
3.28%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2 $2
$2.43 $2.43
-17.70%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.01 $1.01
$2.7 $2.7
-62.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.49 $6.49
$15.19 $15.19
-57.27%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.82 $11.82
$16.42 $16.42
-28.01%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.35 $2.35
-14.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.07 $4.07
$3.7 $3.7
10.00%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Scranton, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.72 $1.72
$2.53 $2.53
-32.02%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$59.4 $59.4
$74.1 $74.1
-19.82%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.93 $2.93
$3.34 $3.34
-12.28%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.37 $1.37
$1.42 $1.42
-3.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.99 $21.99
$25.42 $25.42
-13.49%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.92 $0.92
$1.08 $1.08
-14.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.4K $27.4K
$32.4K $32.4K
-15.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8K $25.8K
$26.2K $26.2K
-1.47%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Scranton, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$273 $273
$188 $188
45.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$40.75 $40.75
$63.7 $63.7
-36.03%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.24 $49.24
$65.2 $65.2
-24.48%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Scranton, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.38 $30.38
$76.7 $76.7
-60.40%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.5 $15.5
$13.03 $13.03
18.96%
Cinema Ticket
$12.72 $12.72
$14.93 $14.93
-14.80%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Scranton, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$764 $764
$2,063 $2,063
-62.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$43.9K $43.9K
$39.2K $39.2K
11.99%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Scranton, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.09 $45.09
$64.3 $64.3
-29.89%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.25 $30.25
$52.4 $52.4
-42.26%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$72.8 $72.8
$95.2 $95.2
-23.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.6 $83.6
$145 $145
-42.24%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Scranton, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,261 $1,261
$2,378 $2,378
-46.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,094 $1,094
$1,584 $1,584
-30.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,077 $2,077
$4,763 $4,763
-56.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,507 $1,507
$2,815 $2,815
-46.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,554 $1,554
$3,588 $3,588
-56.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,439 $1,439
$2,490 $2,490
-42.23%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Scranton, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,280 $3,280
$5,275 $5,275
-37.82%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.68
6.6
1.21%

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

Last update for Scranton, PA: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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