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 $2,889 per month in Wilkes-Barre, PA vs $3,051 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,152 per month in Wilkes-Barre, PA vs $4,638 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,415 per month in Wilkes-Barre, PA vs $6,224 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Wilkes-Barre, PA is about 5% 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 116%, Chicago, IL by 128%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$29.43 $29.43

$20.67 $20.67

42.38%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.70 $49.70

$100 $100

-50.53%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.58 $10.58

$11.86 $11.86

-10.79%

Cappuccino

$3.76 $3.76

$5.54 $5.54

-32.13%

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

$0.99 $0.99

$3.06 $3.06

-67.65%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.48 $2.48

7.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.88 $7.88

$6.92 $6.92

13.87%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.14 $12.14

$8.13 $8.13

49.32%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.62 $1.62

$1.04 $1.04

55.77%

White Bread (500g)

$5.08 $5.08

$3.91 $3.91

29.92%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.13 $8.13

$5.42 $5.42

50.00%

Eggs

$6.91 $6.91

$4.48 $4.48

54.24%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.02 $17.02

$14.52 $14.52

17.22%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.22 $16.22

$15.21 $15.21

6.64%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.45 $20.45

$19.25 $19.25

6.23%

Apples (1kg)

$7.40 $7.40

$5.39 $5.39

37.29%

Banana (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.69 $1.69

49.70%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.94 $5.94

$4.32 $4.32

37.50%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.22 $6.22

$4.51 $4.51

37.92%

Potato (1kg)

$3.83 $3.83

$2.56 $2.56

49.61%

Onion (1kg)

$3.99 $3.99

$2.70 $2.70

47.78%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.09 $3.09

$2.41 $2.41

28.22%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.49 $2.49

$2.62 $2.62

-4.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.07 $19.07

$15.02 $15.02

26.96%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.78 $14.78

$14.71 $14.71

0.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.98 $2.98

$2.48 $2.48

20.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.70 $3.70

$3.69 $3.69

0.27%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.05 $2.05

$2.55 $2.55

-19.61%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.05 $5.05

$3.29 $3.29

53.50%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.43 $1.43

-3.50%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$41.93 $41.93

$24.72 $24.72

69.62%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 $0.97

$1.09 $1.09

-11.01%

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

$34.8K $34.8K

$31.8K $31.8K

9.47%

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

$28.0K $28.0K

$26.4K $26.4K

5.76%

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

$181 $181

$183 $183

-1.13%

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

$59.9 $59.9

$61.8 $61.8

-3.19%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.2 $62.2

$65.0 $65.0

-4.32%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.02 $43.02

$76.1 $76.1

-43.45%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$20.17 $20.17

$14.75 $14.75

36.75%

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

$3,150 $3,150

$2,056 $2,056

53.21%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.1K $23.1K

$38.5K $38.5K

-40.10%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.2 $68.2

$63.9 $63.9

6.73%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.18 $47.18

$51.6 $51.6

-8.55%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$113 $113

$97.3 $97.3

16.05%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$174 $174

$147 $147

18.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,603 $1,603

$2,349 $2,349

-31.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,372 $1,372

$1,581 $1,581

-13.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,650 $2,650

$4,708 $4,708

-43.71%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,209 $2,209

$2,716 $2,716

-18.65%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,375 $4,375

$4,723 $4,723

-7.38%

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: April 22, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,603 in Wilkes-Barre, PA versus $2,349 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 8% 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 $50 in Wilkes-Barre, PA versus $100 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $541 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: $2,889 in Wilkes-Barre, PA, $3,051 in Chicago, IL – roughly 6% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,334 per month in Wilkes-Barre, PA and $4,577 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 $50.0 in Wilkes-Barre, PA and $100 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 21% 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 $2,889 in Wilkes-Barre, PA and $3,051 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 $2,889 in Wilkes-Barre, PA to $3,051 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.