Cost of living comparison
New York City is 27.9% more expensive than Chicago.
- Restaurants
-
pay 7.5% more in New York City
- Groceries
-
pay 24.2% more in New York City
- Transportation
-
pay 33.2% more in New York City
- Housing
-
pay 47.0% more in New York City
- Childcare
-
pay 35.5% more in New York City
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 42.8% more in New York City
- Clothing
-
pay 5.2% more in New York City
The cost of housing, entertainment and sports, childcare, transportation, groceries, and restaurants in New York City are more expensive than in Chicago.
If you lived in New York City instead of Chicago, you would:
pay 7.5% more for restaurants
|
Chicago
|
New York City
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$25.00
|
$30.00
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$11.34
|
$12.00
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$3.02
|
$3.22
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.44
|
$2.39
|
|
pay 24.2% more for groceries
|
Chicago
|
New York City
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$4.19
|
$4.82
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$7.87
|
$8.52
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$3.94
|
$5.80
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.75
|
$5.06
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$6.63
|
$6.82
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.44
|
$3.25
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.90
|
$1.04
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.19
|
$2.67
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.27
|
$2.70
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.16
|
$1.73
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.37
|
$1.66
|
|
pay 33.2% more for transportation
|
Chicago
|
New York City
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.16
|
$3.80
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$75.00
|
$132.50
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$31,965.00
|
$35,000.00
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$14.43
|
$22.40
|
|
pay 47.0% more for housing
|
Chicago
|
New York City
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$58.52
|
$68.20
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$2,360.96
|
$4,097.13
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,512.92
|
$2,883.17
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$126.63
|
$136.26
|
|
pay 35.5% more for childcare
|
Chicago
|
New York City
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$2,475.00
|
$3,253.56
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$42,300.00
|
$59,000.00
|
|
pay 42.8% more for entertainment and sports
|
Chicago
|
New York City
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$7.50
|
$9.00
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.30
|
$5.95
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$17.00
|
$17.00
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$72.00
|
$148.06
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$15.00
|
$20.00
|
|
pay 5.2% more for clothing
|
Chicago
|
New York City
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$64.98
|
$68.92
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$51.67
|
$45.62
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$97.00
|
$107.85
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$146.00
|
$168.36
|
|
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