Cost of Living Comparison Between Bentonville, AR and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Bentonville, AR and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,478 per month in Bentonville, AR vs $3,077 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,668 per month in Bentonville, AR vs $4,628 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,858 per month in Bentonville, AR vs $6,179 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Bentonville, AR is about 19% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Bentonville, AR and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Bentonville, AR by 85%, Chicago, IL by 130%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$21.64 $21.64

$20.91 $20.91

3.49%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$85.8 $85.8

$98.1 $98.1

-12.60%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.78 $10.78

$11.86 $11.86

-9.11%

Cappuccino

$5.37 $5.37

$5.60 $5.60

-4.11%

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

$2.69 $2.69

$3.07 $3.07

-12.38%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.47 $2.47

-10.93%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.09 $6.09

$7.14 $7.14

-14.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.52 $6.52

$8.08 $8.08

-19.31%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$1.05 $1.05

2.86%

White Bread (500g)

$3.26 $3.26

$4.11 $4.11

-20.68%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.00 $3.00

$5.61 $5.61

-46.52%

Eggs

$4.85 $4.85

$4.51 $4.51

7.54%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.92 $9.92

$14.27 $14.27

-30.48%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.47 $16.47

$14.89 $14.89

10.61%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.37 $16.37

$19.19 $19.19

-14.70%

Apples (1kg)

$4.48 $4.48

$5.14 $5.14

-12.84%

Banana (1kg)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.77 $1.77

-24.29%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.87 $2.87

$4.39 $4.39

-34.62%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.67 $2.67

$4.56 $4.56

-41.45%

Potato (1kg)

$2.40 $2.40

$2.54 $2.54

-5.51%

Onion (1kg)

$2.64 $2.64

$2.75 $2.75

-4.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.88 $1.88

$2.42 $2.42

-22.31%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.93 $1.93

$2.62 $2.62

-26.34%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.28 $10.28

$14.92 $14.92

-31.10%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.19 $12.19

$14.80 $14.80

-17.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 $1.63

$2.46 $2.46

-33.74%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 $2.18

$3.73 $3.73

-41.55%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.98 $1.98

$2.48 $2.48

-20.16%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.43 $2.43

$3.18 $3.18

-23.58%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.48 $1.48

$1.42 $1.42

4.23%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.10 $24.10

$24.94 $24.94

-3.37%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.78 $0.78

$1.06 $1.06

-26.42%

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

$23.7K $23.7K

$31.9K $31.9K

-25.76%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

-0.28%

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

$197 $197

$185 $185

6.79%

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

$48.02 $48.02

$61.7 $61.7

-22.22%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.0 $67.0

$66.9 $66.9

0.09%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.70 $25.70

$75.2 $75.2

-65.81%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.01 $5.01

$13.08 $13.08

-61.70%

Cinema Ticket

$12.43 $12.43

$14.71 $14.71

-15.50%

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

$1,047 $1,047

$2,020 $2,020

-48.15%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$18.7K $18.7K

$39.4K $39.4K

-52.63%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.68 $46.68

$64.6 $64.6

-27.75%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.77 $39.77

$52.5 $52.5

-24.18%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.0 $68.0

$97.8 $97.8

-30.53%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.6 $69.6

$148 $148

-52.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,708 $1,708

$2,313 $2,313

-26.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,279 $1,279

$1,590 $1,590

-19.58%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,999 $2,999

$4,608 $4,608

-34.92%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,078 $2,078

$2,779 $2,779

-25.21%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,872 $3,872

$3,922 $3,922

-1.26%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,348 $2,348

$2,613 $2,613

-10.12%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,724 $5,724

$5,217 $5,217

9.71%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.56

6.6

-0.61%

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

Last update for Bentonville, AR: June 1, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,708 in Bentonville, AR versus $2,313 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 10% higher in Bentonville, AR, 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 $86.0 in Bentonville, AR versus $98.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $371 vs $447 – making Bentonville, AR the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Bentonville, AR vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,478 in Bentonville, AR, $3,077 in Chicago, IL – roughly 24% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,717 per month in Bentonville, AR and $4,616 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Bentonville, AR, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,478 in Bentonville, AR and $3,077 in Chicago, IL. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,047 per month in Bentonville, AR and $2,020 in Chicago, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,478 in Bentonville, AR and $3,077 in Chicago, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,478 in Bentonville, AR to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Bentonville, AR. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.