Cost of Living in Bradley, IL - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $716 (excluding rent), and $2,387 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,797 (excluding rent), and $4,364 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.06 $15.06

$12.04 $12.04

$18.07 $18.07

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.6 $50.6

$44.5 $44.5

$80.9 $80.9

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.17 $11.17

$10.15 $10.15

$13.99 $13.99

Cappuccino

$2.99 $2.99

$4.98 $4.98

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

$1.98 $1.98

$2.72 $2.72

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.54 $1.54

$1.03 $1.03

$2.57 $2.57

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.09 $4.09

$7.15 $7.15

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.97 $4.97

$9.94 $9.94

Milk (1 liter)

$0.52 $0.52

$1.03 $1.03

White Bread (500g)

$2.69 $2.69

$1.12 $1.12

$4.51 $4.51

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.17 $2.17

$1.63 $1.63

$6.53 $6.53

Eggs

$2.77 $2.77

$1.44 $1.44

$4.09 $4.09

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.96 $10.96

$7.54 $7.54

$17.54 $17.54

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.17 $6.17

$5.43 $5.43

$10.86 $10.86

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.91 $8.91

$20.03 $20.03

Apples (1kg)

$3.1 $3.1

$2.14 $2.14

$6.42 $6.42

Banana (1kg)

$1.56 $1.56

$1.22 $1.22

$3.06 $3.06

Oranges (1kg)

$3.54 $3.54

$2.26 $2.26

$5.1 $5.1

Tomato (1kg)

$4.21 $4.21

$2.19 $2.19

$14.68 $14.68

Potato (1kg)

$2.26 $2.26

$0.68 $0.68

$3.96 $3.96

Onion (1kg)

$2.19 $2.19

$2.15 $2.15

$3.84 $3.84

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.67 $1.67

$3.96 $3.96

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.01 $1.01

$2.27 $2.27

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.82 $8.82

$12.75 $12.75

Wine (Bottle)

$10.16 $10.16

$9.15 $9.15

$20.33 $20.33

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.05 $2.05

$1.68 $1.68

$2.78 $2.78

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.94 $3.94

$1.22 $1.22

$6.09 $6.09

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.24 $1.24

$1.98 $1.98

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.41 $3.41

$2.93 $2.93

$4.88 $4.88

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$3.16 $3.16

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.88 $28.88

$26.12 $26.12

$34.63 $34.63

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.93 $0.93

$0.81 $0.81

$1.01 $1.01

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

$29.1K $29.1K

$23.3K $23.3K

$35.5K $35.5K

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

$23.1K $23.1K

$20.1K $20.1K

$26.1K $26.1K

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

$221 $221

$153 $153

$255 $255

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

$41.04 $41.04

$29.43 $29.43

$58.9 $58.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.5 $60.5

$50.4 $50.4

$90.7 $90.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.19 $42.19

$17.17 $17.17

$49.06 $49.06

Cinema Ticket

$10.04 $10.04

$12.04 $12.04

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

$1,182 $1,182

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.9K $23.9K

$17.1K $17.1K

$27.8K $27.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$24.56 $24.56

$19.65 $19.65

$55 $55

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.56 $39.56

$24.72 $24.72

$64.3 $64.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$60 $60

$49.97 $49.97

$110 $110

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$81.2 $81.2

$60.9 $60.9

$254 $254

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,618 $1,618

$1,212 $1,212

$1,875 $1,875

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,379 $1,379

$1,019 $1,019

$1,529 $1,529

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,595 $2,595

$1,974 $1,974

$2,961 $2,961

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,179 $2,179

$1,667 $1,667

$2,451 $2,451

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,635 $2,635

$1,933 $1,933

$2,635 $2,635

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,383 $2,383

$1,946 $1,946

$2,383 $2,383

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.56

6.19

6.8

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Bradley, IL - Frequently Asked Questions

Bradley, IL, United States sits in the Chicago metro area with a slower pace and generally lower housing costs than downtown Chicago, which many travelers and nomads find appealing. The Cost of Living in Bradley, IL, United States tends to be more approachable for short stays and longer visits alike, especially for renters who value space without a big city price tag. You’ll notice practical perks: quiet neighborhoods, local parks, and a solid basics scene – groceries, coffee spots, and family-friendly dining. Seasonal events and proximity to Joliet or Kankakee add variety without daily crowds. Tip: Build a simple monthly budget that prioritizes housing, groceries, and transit, and leave room for seasonal travel or events.

Bradley offers a compact set of neighborhoods, with a mix of modest rentals and small homes. Housing search is often straightforward, with longer leases and fewer high-rise listings than cities, but you still have options near parks or schools. For daily life, you’ll find reliable groceries, casual dining, and accessible transit to Joliet and Chicago by car or rail. Co-working spaces are limited but doable in nearby towns; libraries and cafes can double as work hubs. The Bradley, IL, United States living cost tends to be more predictable than big-city averages, making budgeting easier for longer stays. Tip: Map a two-week housing search window and test multiple areas for vibe and commute.

Quality of life here blends small-town calm with access to larger metros. You’ll appreciate walkable streets, family-friendly amenities, and a sense of community in several quiet neighborhoods. When budgeting, adopt a simple framework like 50/30/20 or a weekly expense tracker, and create sinking funds for seasonally higher costs such as heating or summer travel. Seasonal patterns matter: winter heating, fall farmers markets, and summer road trips can shift costs but also offer opportunities to save through bulk buys and local markets. Pick a neighborhood that aligns with your pace – close to parks, schools, or transit. Tip: Pair a simple budgeting method with a trial month in your top two neighborhoods to test day-to-day costs and commute rhythm.