Popular cities
Chicago vs New York cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐บ๐ธ Chicago
๐บ๐ธ New York
At a glance
- Where Chicago is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (41%โ), Hotel night (33%โ), Tuk-tuk / moto taxi (29%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Chicago is easier to travel (1.4 vs 1.6). Biggest gap: rip-offs & haggling โ Chicago 1 vs New York 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Chicago | New York | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 17$17 | $ 20$20 | Chicago โ15% |
| Street food1 item | $ 8$8 | $ 10$10 | Chicago โ20% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | $ 55$55 | Chicago โ24% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.5$5.5 | $ 6$6 | Chicago โ8% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7.5$7.5 | $ 9$9 | Chicago โ17% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 15$15 | $ 19$19 | Chicago โ21% |
| Bottled water | $ 1.8$1.8 | $ 2$2 | Chicago โ10% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 2.7$2.7 | $ 3$3 | Chicago โ10% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 17$17 | $ 23$23 | Chicago โ26% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 10$10 | $ 14$14 | Chicago โ29% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.75$2.75 | $ 3$3 | Chicago โ8% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 57$57 | $ 68$68 | Chicago โ16% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | $ 270$270 | Chicago โ33% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,950$1,950 | $ 3,300$3,300 | Chicago โ41% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4.5$4.5 | Chicago โ11% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 30$30 | $ 30$30 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 35$35 | $ 42$42 | Chicago โ17% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 85$85 | $ 100$100 | Chicago โ15% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 60$60 | $ 80$80 | Chicago โ25% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 33$33 | $ 30$30 | New York โ9% |
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 York?
Chicago is 32% cheaper than New York. Daily budget $334 vs $467; a month $6,737 vs $10,297.
Which is easier to travel, Chicago or New York?
Chicago is easier: Chicago 1.4/5 vs New York 1.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Chicago and New York?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chicago is about $6,737 and New York about $10,297 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.