Are you thinking of relocating to Chicago or New York City? Knowing the cost of living in a city is an important factor to consider when choosing a place to live. The cost of living in Chicago and New York City can vary greatly. Although the two cities are quite similar in many ways, understanding the differences in cost of living can be a deciding factor in your decision making process.
When making comparisons between the two cities, the most obvious difference between them is the cost of housing. In Chicago, the median home value is $231,400, whereas in New York City, the median home value is $622,300. Rent prices also differ greatly between the two. In Chicago, the median price of rent is $1,117 per month, and in New York City, the median price of rent is $2,400 per month. This is nearly double the amount.
Food is another factor to consider when evaluating the cost of city living. Groceries may cost more in New York City than they do in Chicago. In Chicago, the average cost of groceries is $271.43 per month, while in New York City, the average cost is $341.06 per month. However, the cost of eating out at a restaurant is higher in Chicago than in New York City. In Chicago, the average cost of eating out is $41.48, whereas in New York City, the average cost is $36.46.
When it comes to transportation, Chicago is relatively less expensive than New York City. A single ride on the Chicago Transit Authority will cost $2.25, compared to $2.75 for a single ride on the New York City Subway. A monthly pass for the CTA is $105, compared to $121 for a monthly pass for the MTA. Additionally, gasoline prices in Chicago are lower than those in New York City. A gallon of gas in Chicago costs, on average, $2.50, while a gallon of gas in New York City costs, on average, $2.94.
Overall, the cost of living in Chicago is significantly lower than the cost of living in New York City. If you are looking for an urban lifestyle, with a lower cost of living, Chicago may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more expensive city with more amenities and advantages, then New York City is likely the better choice.
The Difference In Cost Of Living Between Chicago & New York City
Comparing the cost of living between two cities is often necessary when planning a move. Chicago and New York City are two of the largest cities in the United States, and they have very different costs of living. In order to better understand the difference, we’ve broken down the cost of living in each city.
The first major difference between Chicago and New York City’s cost of living is housing. In Chicago, the median home value is $220,400, while in New York City, it is significantly higher at $619,000. Rent also varies drastically between the two cities, with the median monthly rent in Chicago coming in at $1,330, compared to $2,500 in New York City.
Other costs of living, such as transportation, groceries, and healthcare, also differ between the two cities. The cost of a monthly transit pass in Chicago is $105, while a monthly pass in New York City is $121. The cost of groceries is slightly higher in Chicago, with the average cost of a grocery basket totaling $60.50, compared to $56.75 in New York City. Healthcare costs are also slightly higher in Chicago, with the average cost of a doctor’s visit coming in at $127.50 in Chicago, compared to $120 in New York City.
Overall, when it comes to the cost of living, Chicago is significantly cheaper than New York City. The cost of housing is cheaper, and the cost of other expenses is slightly higher in Chicago, but still much lower than in New York City. If you’re looking for a more affordable city to live in, Chicago may be the right choice for you.
| Chicago | New York City | |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $220,400 | $619,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,330 | $2,500 |
| Monthly Transit Pass | $105 | $121 |
| Average Grocery Basket Cost | $60.50 | $56.75 |
| Average Doctor’s Visit Cost | $127.50 | $120 |
Comparing The Cost Of Housing, Groceries & Utilities In Chicago & New York City
When it comes to living expenses, there are major differences between Chicago and New York City. Let’s compare the cost of housing, groceries, and utilities in the two cities.
Housing is a major expense for both cities. In Chicago, the median home value is $233,400 and the median rent is $1,133. In New York City, the median home value is $672,100 and the median rent is $1,543. As you can see, the cost of housing in NYC is more than double the cost in Chicago.
When it comes to groceries, Chicago and New York City are roughly even. The average cost of a gallon of milk is $2.76 in both cities. The average cost of a dozen eggs is $2.17 in Chicago and $2.18 in New York City. The average cost of a pound of chicken is $4.32 in Chicago and $4.31 in New York City.
Utilities are another major expense. In Chicago, the average cost of natural gas is $14.20 per therm. The average cost of electricity is 8.7 cents per kWh. In New York City, the average cost of natural gas is $17.19 per therm. The average cost of electricity is 17.3 cents per kWh. As you can see, the cost of utilities is much higher in New York City than in Chicago.
| CATEGORY | CHICAGO | NEW YORK CITY |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $233,400 | $672,100 |
| Median Rent | $1,133 | $1,543 |
| Average Cost of Milk (Gallon) | $2.76 | $2.76 |
| Average Cost of Eggs (Dozen) | $2.17 | $2.18 |
| Average Cost of Chicken (Pound) | $4.32 | $4.31 |
| Average Cost of Natural Gas (Therm) | $14.20 | $17.19 |
| Average Cost of Electricity (kWh) | 8.7 | 17.3 |
Overall, the cost of living in New York City is significantly higher than the cost of living in Chicago. This is due to the higher cost of housing and utilities in NYC. Groceries, however, are roughly the same in both cities.
The cost of living in Chicago is generally lower than in New York City.
Rental prices and real estate prices in Chicago are generally lower than in New York City.
Groceries are generally less expensive in Chicago than New York City.
Public transportation costs are typically lower in Chicago than in New York City.
Utility costs are typically lower in Chicago than in New York City.
Medical services are generally more expensive in New York City than in Chicago.
Taxes are usually higher in New York City than in Chicago.
Entertainment costs are generally lower in Chicago than in New York City.
The cost of going out to eat is usually lower in Chicago than in New York City.
Personal care services are typically more expensive in New York City than in Chicago.