Cost of Living Comparison Between Toms River, NJ and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Toms River, NJ and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,753 per month in Toms River, NJ vs $3,068 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,222 per month in Toms River, NJ vs $4,648 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,691 per month in Toms River, NJ vs $6,229 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Toms River, NJ is about 10% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Toms River, NJ and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Toms River, NJ by 106%, Chicago, IL by 130%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.13 $18.13

$20.17 $20.17

-10.11%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$81.2 $81.2

$99.5 $99.5

-18.42%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.47 $11.47

$12.23 $12.23

-6.21%

Cappuccino

$4.92 $4.92

$5.60 $5.60

-12.14%

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

$2.38 $2.38

$3.12 $3.12

-23.72%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.33 $1.33

$2.43 $2.43

-45.27%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.87 $4.87

$6.93 $6.93

-29.73%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.59 $6.59

$8.20 $8.20

-19.63%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.35 $1.35

$1.08 $1.08

25.00%

White Bread (500g)

$5.04 $5.04

$3.97 $3.97

26.95%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.35 $2.35

$5.58 $5.58

-57.89%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$4.47 $4.47

3.80%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.48 $17.48

$14.50 $14.50

20.55%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.21 $16.21

$15.08 $15.08

7.49%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.78 $16.78

$19.34 $19.34

-13.24%

Apples (1kg)

$5.78 $5.78

$5.37 $5.37

7.64%

Banana (1kg)

$1.35 $1.35

$1.76 $1.76

-23.30%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.15 $5.15

$4.32 $4.32

19.21%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.21 $6.21

$4.41 $4.41

40.82%

Potato (1kg)

$1.52 $1.52

$2.54 $2.54

-40.16%

Onion (1kg)

$2.71 $2.71

$2.70 $2.70

0.37%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.49 $2.49

2.81%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.97 $1.97

$2.60 $2.60

-24.23%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.18 $10.18

$14.80 $14.80

-31.22%

Wine (Bottle)

$10.21 $10.21

$15.18 $15.18

-32.74%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.91 $2.91

$2.47 $2.47

17.81%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.72 $3.72

$3.60 $3.60

3.33%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.05 $2.05

$2.54 $2.54

-19.29%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.3 $76.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.05 $5.05

$3.30 $3.30

53.03%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.22 $2.22

$1.38 $1.38

60.87%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$41.97 $41.97

$25.36 $25.36

65.50%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.79 $0.79

$1.09 $1.09

-27.52%

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

$34.8K $34.8K

$31.6K $31.6K

9.94%

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

$27.5K $27.5K

$26.6K $26.6K

3.38%

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

$185 $185

$186 $186

-0.59%

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

$30.25 $30.25

$62.9 $62.9

-51.88%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.1 $62.1

$66.2 $66.2

-6.15%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.56 $29.56

$77.6 $77.6

-61.92%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.16 $13.16

Cinema Ticket

$14.73 $14.73

$14.74 $14.74

-0.07%

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

$3,103 $3,103

$2,039 $2,039

52.20%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$56.3K $56.3K

$39.9K $39.9K

41.19%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.8 $67.8

$63.9 $63.9

6.17%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.19 $47.19

$51.2 $51.2

-7.78%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 $111

$95.2 $95.2

16.87%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$171 $171

$144 $144

18.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,637 $1,637

$2,305 $2,305

-28.97%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,523 $1,523

$1,575 $1,575

-3.33%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,842 $2,842

$4,688 $4,688

-39.38%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,806 $2,806

$2,737 $2,737

2.50%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,063 $4,063

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,696 $2,696

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,799 $4,799

$5,019 $5,019

-4.39%

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 Toms River, NJ: July 13, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,637 in Toms River, NJ versus $2,305 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 5% 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 $81.0 in Toms River, NJ versus $99.0 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $451 in Toms River, NJ vs $448 in Chicago, IL – so Chicago, IL 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

Toms River, NJ vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,753 in Toms River, NJ, $3,068 in Chicago, IL – roughly 11% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,130 per month in Toms River, NJ and $4,602 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in Toms River, NJ and $99.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 0% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,753 in Toms River, NJ and $3,068 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 $2,753 in Toms River, NJ to $3,068 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Toms River, NJ. 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.