Cost of Living Comparison Between Taunton, MA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Taunton, MA and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,989 per month in Taunton, MA vs $3,111 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,404 per month in Taunton, MA vs $4,680 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,819 per month in Taunton, MA vs $6,249 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Taunton, MA is about 4% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Taunton, MA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Taunton, MA by 122%, Chicago, IL by 131%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.94 $19.94

$20.39 $20.39

-2.21%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.7 $98.7

$98.2 $98.2

0.43%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.68 $12.68

$12.07 $12.07

5.05%

Cappuccino

$4.63 $4.63

$5.73 $5.73

-19.20%

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

$2.78 $2.78

$2.97 $2.97

-6.40%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 $2.06

$2.47 $2.47

-16.60%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.04 $6.04

$6.99 $6.99

-13.59%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.70 $7.70

$8.21 $8.21

-6.21%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$1.05 $1.05

2.86%

White Bread (500g)

$3.43 $3.43

$4.08 $4.08

-15.93%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.42 $3.42

$5.50 $5.50

-37.82%

Eggs

$4.41 $4.41

$4.64 $4.64

-4.96%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.90 $15.90

$14.40 $14.40

10.42%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.64 $11.64

$15.20 $15.20

-23.42%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.40 $19.40

$19.28 $19.28

0.62%

Apples (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$5.14 $5.14

2.92%

Banana (1kg)

$1.63 $1.63

$1.76 $1.76

-7.39%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.83 $3.83

$4.34 $4.34

-11.75%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.86 $5.86

$4.36 $4.36

34.40%

Potato (1kg)

$3.27 $3.27

$2.44 $2.44

34.02%

Onion (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.79 $2.79

-8.96%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.93 $1.93

$2.52 $2.52

-23.41%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.61 $1.61

$2.66 $2.66

-39.47%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.58 $11.58

$14.90 $14.90

-22.28%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.21 $15.21

$14.97 $14.97

1.60%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.11 $2.11

$2.45 $2.45

-13.88%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 $1.98

$3.54 $3.54

-44.07%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.96 $1.96

$2.43 $2.43

-19.34%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.37 $40.37

$74.5 $74.5

-45.83%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.01 $5.01

$3.32 $3.32

50.90%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.38 $1.38

23.19%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.37 $29.37

$25.11 $25.11

16.97%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.86 $0.86

$1.09 $1.09

-21.10%

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

$22.8K $22.8K

$31.9K $31.9K

-28.32%

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

$23.9K $23.9K

$26.8K $26.8K

-10.79%

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

$279 $279

$187 $187

48.97%

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

$54.1 $54.1

$63.5 $63.5

-14.77%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.1 $65.1

$65.5 $65.5

-0.64%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$32.53 $32.53

$75.7 $75.7

-57.02%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

Cinema Ticket

$15.02 $15.02

$14.80 $14.80

1.49%

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

$1,636 $1,636

$2,025 $2,025

-19.21%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$18.1K $18.1K

$39.0K $39.0K

-53.44%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.08 $48.08

$64.2 $64.2

-25.05%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.14 $34.14

$51.7 $51.7

-34.00%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$65.1 $65.1

$95.6 $95.6

-31.88%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$82.0 $82.0

$145 $145

-43.49%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,513 $1,513

$2,326 $2,326

-34.94%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,697 $1,697

$1,611 $1,611

5.37%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,517 $2,517

$4,703 $4,703

-46.49%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,916 $2,916

$2,721 $2,721

7.15%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,714 $2,714

$3,829 $3,829

-29.12%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,481 $3,481

$2,533 $2,533

37.44%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,106 $4,106

$5,100 $5,100

-19.47%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.61

6.6

0.15%

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

Last update for Taunton, MA: June 6, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,513 in Taunton, MA versus $2,326 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 24% 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 Taunton, MA versus $98.0 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $408 in Taunton, MA vs $448 in Chicago, IL – so Taunton, MA 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

Taunton, MA vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,989 in Taunton, MA, $3,111 in Chicago, IL – roughly 4% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,483 per month in Taunton, MA and $4,666 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Taunton, MA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 10% 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 Taunton, MA and $98.0 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 $2,989 in Taunton, MA and $3,111 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 $2,989 in Taunton, MA to $3,111 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Taunton, MA. 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.