Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Chicago vs New Orleans
Chicago vs New Orleans cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Chicago
πΊπΈ New OrleansNew Orleans is 10% cheaper than Chicago
Living on $6,989 a month in Chicago feels like about $6,083 in New Orleans β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$333 vs $310
Per month
$6,989 vs $6,083
Local meal
$ 16 vs $ 15
$16 vs $15
Taxi 5 km
$ 18 vs $ 15
$18 vs $15
At a glance
FoodNew Orleans 6% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksNew Orleans 8% cheaper
TransportNew Orleans 16% cheaper
StayNew Orleans 17% cheaper
FunChicago 10% cheaper
- Where New Orleans is clearly cheaper: Transit (60%β), Studio rent (month) (29%β), Taxi (17%β)
- Where Chicago is clearly cheaper: Tuk-tuk / moto taxi (21%β), Scooter rental (17%β)
Item by item
| Item | Chicago | New Orleans | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 16$16 | $ 15$15 | New Orleans β6% |
| Street food1 item | $ 7.2$7.2 | $ 6.8$6.8 | New Orleans β6% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | $ 40$40 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7$7 | $ 6$6 | New Orleans β14% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 18$18 | $ 16$16 | New Orleans β11% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2$2 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 18$18 | $ 15$15 | New Orleans β17% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | $ 14$14 | Chicago β21% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 1$1 | New Orleans β60% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 57$57 | $ 69$69 | Chicago β17% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | $ 170$170 | New Orleans β6% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,100$2,100 | $ 1,500$1,500 | New Orleans β29% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4$4 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 24$24 | $ 25$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 34$34 | $ 39$39 | Chicago β13% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 96$96 | $ 110$110 | Chicago β13% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 86$86 | $ 100$100 | Chicago β14% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 24$24 | $ 25$25 | similar |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Chicago or New Orleans?
New Orleans is 10% cheaper than Chicago. Daily budget $333 vs $310; a month $6,989 vs $6,083.
How do monthly costs compare between Chicago and New Orleans?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chicago is about $6,989 and New Orleans about $6,083 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.