Cost of Living Comparison Between Alexandria, LA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Alexandria, LA and Chicago, IL

๐Ÿ™‚ Solo nomad: Alexandria, LA is 25.7% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 30% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ™‚ Family of 3: Alexandria, LA is 26.5% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 26.2% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Alexandria, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.24 $12.24
$20.82 $20.82
-41.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.2 $48.2
$100 $100
-51.96%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.91 $4.91
$11.97 $11.97
-58.98%
Cappuccino
$5.43 $5.43
$5.56 $5.56
-2.34%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87 $2.87
$3.11 $3.11
-7.72%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12 $2.12
$2.42 $2.42
-12.40%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.93 $5.93
$6.86 $6.86
-13.56%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.22 $8.22
$8.45 $8.45
-2.72%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Alexandria, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.33 $1.33
$1.04 $1.04
27.88%
White Bread (500g)
$1.69 $1.69
$4.15 $4.15
-59.28%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$6.21 $6.21
$5.52 $5.52
12.50%
Eggs
$4.45 $4.45
$4.65 $4.65
-4.30%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.1 $11.1
$14.33 $14.33
-22.54%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.34 $11.34
$14.88 $14.88
-23.79%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.41 $14.41
$19.34 $19.34
-25.49%
Apples (1kg)
$5.34 $5.34
$5.17 $5.17
3.29%
Banana (1kg)
$1.29 $1.29
$1.71 $1.71
-24.56%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.31 $4.31
$4.41 $4.41
-2.27%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.27 $5.27
$4.51 $4.51
16.85%
Potato (1kg)
$3.96 $3.96
$2.53 $2.53
56.52%
Onion (1kg)
$3.21 $3.21
$2.74 $2.74
17.15%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.19 $2.19
$2.43 $2.43
-9.88%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.28 $2.28
$2.7 $2.7
-15.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.89 $8.89
$15.19 $15.19
-41.47%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.37 $15.37
$16.42 $16.42
-6.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07 $2.07
$2.35 $2.35
-11.91%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.49 $3.49
$3.7 $3.7
-5.68%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Alexandria, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.04 $2.04
$2.53 $2.53
-19.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.1 $74.1
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.56 $3.56
$3.34 $3.34
6.59%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.47 $1.47
$1.42 $1.42
3.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.32 $35.32
$25.42 $25.42
38.95%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.67 $0.67
$1.08 $1.08
-37.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.8K $34.8K
$32.4K $32.4K
7.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.1K $28.1K
$26.2K $26.2K
7.16%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Alexandria, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$184 $184
$188 $188
-2.08%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.2 $58.2
$63.7 $63.7
-8.67%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$59.1 $59.1
$65.2 $65.2
-9.31%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Alexandria, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.41 $43.41
$76.7 $76.7
-43.42%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.03 $12.03
$14.93 $14.93
-19.42%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Alexandria, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,578 $1,578
$2,063 $2,063
-23.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.2K $10.2K
$39.2K $39.2K
-73.84%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Alexandria, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.92 $49.92
$64.3 $64.3
-22.38%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.11 $40.11
$52.4 $52.4
-23.44%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$75 $75
$95.2 $95.2
-21.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108 $108
$145 $145
-25.18%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Alexandria, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$841 $841
$2,378 $2,378
-64.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,013 $1,013
$1,584 $1,584
-36.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,359 $1,359
$4,763 $4,763
-71.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,261 $2,261
$2,815 $2,815
-19.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,292 $1,292
$3,588 $3,588
-64.00%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,287 $1,287
$2,490 $2,490
-48.30%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Alexandria, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,944 $2,944
$5,275 $5,275
-44.19%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.57
6.6
-0.45%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Alexandria, LA: October 28, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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