Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Aberdeen, SD and Chicago, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Aberdeen, SD: $1,901 a month against $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $13,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

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Cost of Living Index in Chicago, IL
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Chicago, IL Living Index

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Aberdeen, SD

🇺🇸 United States

$1,901

/mo nomad

Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 United States

$3,037

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Aberdeen, SD and in Chicago, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Aberdeen, SD and in Chicago, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,901 per month in Aberdeen, SD vs $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Aberdeen, SD $1,901
Chicago, IL $3,037

A couple spends around $2,696 per month in Aberdeen, SD vs $4,518 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Aberdeen, SD $2,696
Chicago, IL $4,518

A family of three spends $3,490 per month in Aberdeen, SD vs $5,999 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Aberdeen, SD $3,490
Chicago, IL $5,999

Aberdeen, SD is about 37% cheaper than Chicago, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Aberdeen, SD and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Aberdeen, SD by 40%, Chicago, IL by 123%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.04 $10.04

$20.71 $20.71

-51.52%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$65.3 $65.3

$89.2 $89.2

-26.83%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.01 $10.01

$13.19 $13.19

-24.11%

Cappuccino

$4.41 $4.41

$5.66 $5.66

-22.08%

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

$2.46 $2.46

$2.64 $2.64

-6.82%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.28 $2.28

11.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.08 $4.08

$6.87 $6.87

-40.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.17 $7.17

$8.84 $8.84

-18.89%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.89 $0.89

$1.25 $1.25

-28.80%

White Bread (500g)

$2.51 $2.51

$3.72 $3.72

-32.53%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.35 $5.35

$5.39 $5.39

-0.74%

Eggs

$5.96 $5.96

$4.74 $4.74

25.74%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.82 $9.82

$13.84 $13.84

-29.05%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.05 $10.05

$14.40 $14.40

-30.21%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.35 $18.35

$18.38 $18.38

-0.16%

Apples (1kg)

$4.30 $4.30

$5.22 $5.22

-17.62%

Banana (1kg)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.98 $1.98

19.70%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.76 $3.76

$4.06 $4.06

-7.39%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.05 $4.05

$4.97 $4.97

-18.51%

Potato (1kg)

$4.16 $4.16

$2.67 $2.67

55.81%

Onion (1kg)

$2.74 $2.74

$2.66 $2.66

3.01%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.24 $2.24

16.96%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$5.08 $5.08

$3.13 $3.13

62.30%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.82 $13.82

Wine (Bottle)

$30.35 $30.35

$14.88 $14.88

103.97%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.54 $2.54

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.51 $3.51

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.5 $73.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.39 $1.39

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.03 $25.03

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 $0.88

$1.20 $1.20

-26.67%

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

$35.0K $35.0K

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

$26.7K $26.7K

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

$194 $194

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

$69.5 $69.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.6 $61.6

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.90 $47.90

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.34 $27.34

Cinema Ticket

$17.81 $17.81

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

$733 $733

$1,794 $1,794

-59.15%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.29 $45.29

$67.0 $67.0

-32.42%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.52 $24.52

$52.1 $52.1

-52.97%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$76.4 $76.4

$102 $102

-24.80%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,107 $1,107

$2,526 $2,526

-56.19%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,182 $1,182

$1,578 $1,578

-25.08%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,858 $1,858

$4,738 $4,738

-60.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,617 $1,617

$2,693 $2,693

-39.95%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,468 $1,468

$4,190 $4,190

-64.96%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,432 $1,432

$2,768 $2,768

-48.28%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,180 $5,180

$4,931 $4,931

5.06%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.76

6.81

-0.73%

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

Last update for Aberdeen, SD: October 24, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Aberdeen, SD

–

Chicago, IL

$1.6K 52%

Groceries & Markets

Aberdeen, SD

–

Chicago, IL

$447 14.7%

Eating Out

Aberdeen, SD

–

Chicago, IL

$345 11.4%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Aberdeen, SD

–

Chicago, IL

$326 10.7%

Clothing & Footwear

Aberdeen, SD

–

Chicago, IL

$164 5.4%

Getting Around

Aberdeen, SD

–

Chicago, IL

$93 3.1%

Sport & Entertainment

Aberdeen, SD

–

Chicago, IL

$84 2.8%

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,107 in Aberdeen, SD versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 5% higher in Aberdeen, SD, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $65 in Aberdeen, SD versus $89 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $435 vs $447 – making Aberdeen, SD the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Aberdeen, SD

🇺🇸 Chicago, IL

🕒 Local time

20:27 8:27 PM

Same time as Aberdeen, SD

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

24,071

2,746,388

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.892 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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Between locations

Aberdeen, SD Chicago, IL 960 km ≈ 1 h 45 min nonstop flight

From you

Aberdeen, SD
Chicago, IL

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Aberdeen, SD vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago, IL costs about 60% more than Aberdeen, SD, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from utilities. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,852 per month in Aberdeen, SD and $4,555 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Aberdeen, SD, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,107 there versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $65 in Aberdeen, SD and $89 in Chicago, IL. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 3% more in Chicago, IL, though the gap depends on what you buy.

Families tend to lean toward Aberdeen, SD – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.