Cost of Living Comparison Between Wilkes-Barre, PA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Wilkes-Barre, PA and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,843 per month in Wilkes-Barre, PA vs $3,077 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,194 per month in Wilkes-Barre, PA vs $4,628 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,546 per month in Wilkes-Barre, PA vs $6,179 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Wilkes-Barre, PA is about 8% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Wilkes-Barre, PA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Wilkes-Barre, PA by 112%, Chicago, IL by 130%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$29.98 $29.98

$20.91 $20.91

43.38%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.01 $49.01

$98.1 $98.1

-50.06%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.62 $10.62

$11.86 $11.86

-10.46%

Cappuccino

$3.74 $3.74

$5.60 $5.60

-33.21%

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

$0.98 $0.98

$3.07 $3.07

-68.08%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.69 $2.69

$2.47 $2.47

8.91%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.21 $8.21

$7.14 $7.14

14.99%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.83 $11.83

$8.08 $8.08

46.41%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.60 $1.60

$1.05 $1.05

52.38%

White Bread (500g)

$5.13 $5.13

$4.11 $4.11

24.82%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.18 $8.18

$5.61 $5.61

45.81%

Eggs

$7.28 $7.28

$4.51 $4.51

61.42%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.70 $17.70

$14.27 $14.27

24.04%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.65 $16.65

$14.89 $14.89

11.82%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.37 $20.37

$19.19 $19.19

6.15%

Apples (1kg)

$7.48 $7.48

$5.14 $5.14

45.53%

Banana (1kg)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.77 $1.77

38.42%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.89 $5.89

$4.39 $4.39

34.17%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.21 $6.21

$4.56 $4.56

36.18%

Potato (1kg)

$3.81 $3.81

$2.54 $2.54

50.00%

Onion (1kg)

$3.99 $3.99

$2.75 $2.75

45.09%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.02 $3.02

$2.42 $2.42

24.79%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.59 $2.59

$2.62 $2.62

-1.15%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$18.68 $18.68

$14.92 $14.92

25.20%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.93 $2.93

$2.46 $2.46

19.11%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$3.73 $3.73

-1.07%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.98 $1.98

$2.48 $2.48

-20.16%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.97 $4.97

$3.18 $3.18

56.29%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.42 $1.42

-2.82%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$41.95 $41.95

$24.94 $24.94

68.20%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 $0.95

$1.06 $1.06

-10.38%

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

$35.7K $35.7K

$31.9K $31.9K

11.70%

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

$27.9K $27.9K

$26.0K $26.0K

6.97%

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

$185 $185

-0.19%

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

$59.3 $59.3

$61.7 $61.7

-4.00%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.3 $62.3

$66.9 $66.9

-6.90%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.75 $42.75

$75.2 $75.2

-43.13%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$20.17 $20.17

$14.71 $14.71

37.12%

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

$3,156 $3,156

$2,020 $2,020

56.22%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.1K $23.1K

$39.4K $39.4K

-41.32%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.2 $68.2

$64.6 $64.6

5.59%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.88 $48.88

$52.5 $52.5

-6.81%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$114 $114

$97.8 $97.8

16.70%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$171 $171

$148 $148

15.98%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,622 $1,622

$2,313 $2,313

-29.84%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,347 $1,347

$1,590 $1,590

-15.30%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,600 $2,600

$4,608 $4,608

-43.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,215 $2,215

$2,779 $2,779

-20.28%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,220 $4,220

$5,217 $5,217

-19.11%

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 Wilkes-Barre, PA: May 30, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,622 in Wilkes-Barre, PA versus $2,313 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 $49.00 in Wilkes-Barre, PA versus $98.0 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $548 in Wilkes-Barre, PA vs $447 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

Wilkes-Barre, PA vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,843 in Wilkes-Barre, PA, $3,077 in Chicago, IL – roughly 8% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,265 per month in Wilkes-Barre, PA and $4,616 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Wilkes-Barre, PA, 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 $49.00 in Wilkes-Barre, PA and $98.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 22% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,843 in Wilkes-Barre, PA and $3,077 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 $2,843 in Wilkes-Barre, PA to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Wilkes-Barre, PA. 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.