Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Campbellsville, KY and Chicago, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Campbellsville, KY: $1,556 a month against $3,139 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $19,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Campbellsville, KY
🇺🇸 United States
$1,556
/mo nomad
Chicago, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$3,139
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Campbellsville, KY 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 Campbellsville, KY and in Chicago, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,556 per month in Campbellsville, KY vs $3,139 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

  • Campbellsville, KY $1,556
  • Chicago, IL $3,139

A couple spends around $2,428 per month in Campbellsville, KY vs $4,627 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

  • Campbellsville, KY $2,428
  • Chicago, IL $4,627

A family of three spends $3,300 per month in Campbellsville, KY vs $6,115 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

  • Campbellsville, KY $3,300
  • Chicago, IL $6,115

Campbellsville, KY is about 50% cheaper than Chicago, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Campbellsville, KY and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Campbellsville, KY by 15%, Chicago, IL by 132%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Campbellsville, KY
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.78 $14.78
$20.65 $20.65
-28.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.1 $50.1
$90.2 $90.2
-44.51%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.10 $10.10
$12.94 $12.94
-21.95%
Cappuccino
$5.03 $5.03
$5.60 $5.60
-10.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46 $1.46
$2.64 $2.64
-44.70%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.98 $0.98
$2.27 $2.27
-56.83%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.93 $3.93
$6.98 $6.98
-43.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.11 $4.11
$8.83 $8.83
-53.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Campbellsville, KY
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.80 $0.80
$1.27 $1.27
-37.01%
White Bread (500g)
$2.27 $2.27
$3.80 $3.80
-40.26%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.06 $4.06
$5.30 $5.30
-23.40%
Eggs
$4.12 $4.12
$4.76 $4.76
-13.45%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.72 $12.72
$13.96 $13.96
-8.88%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.68 $8.68
$14.61 $14.61
-40.59%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.37 $16.37
$18.77 $18.77
-12.79%
Apples (1kg)
$5.70 $5.70
$5.19 $5.19
9.83%
Banana (1kg)
$1.58 $1.58
$1.98 $1.98
-20.20%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.23 $4.23
$3.93 $3.93
7.63%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.84 $4.84
$4.96 $4.96
-2.42%
Potato (1kg)
$2.54 $2.54
$2.76 $2.76
-7.97%
Onion (1kg)
$3.20 $3.20
$2.76 $2.76
15.94%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.12 $2.12
$2.22 $2.22
-4.50%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.84 $1.84
$2.98 $2.98
-38.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.24 $8.24
$14.02 $14.02
-41.23%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.12 $15.12
$15.28 $15.28
-1.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$2.58 $2.58
-17.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92 $2.92
$3.50 $3.50
-16.57%
🚌 Getting Around
Campbellsville, KY
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.16 $2.16
$2.47 $2.47
-12.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.8 $74.8
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.84 $3.84
$3.34 $3.34
14.97%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.22 $1.22
$1.43 $1.43
-14.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$24.86 $24.86
$24.32 $24.32
2.22%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$1.26 $1.26
-23.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K $21.8K
$35.0K $35.0K
-37.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9K $24.9K
$26.1K $26.1K
-4.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Campbellsville, KY
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$75.3 $75.3
$193 $193
-60.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$65.8 $65.8
$68.3 $68.3
-3.56%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.79 $24.79
$61.3 $61.3
-59.56%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Campbellsville, KY
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.38 $41.38
$54.1 $54.1
-23.54%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$27.92 $27.92
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.11 $10.11
$17.74 $17.74
-43.01%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Campbellsville, KY
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,490 $1,490
$1,652 $1,652
-9.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$19.7K $19.7K
$31.1K $31.1K
-36.63%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Campbellsville, KY
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$29.41 $29.41
$66.1 $66.1
-55.49%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.88 $44.88
$51.2 $51.2
-12.41%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.0 $86.0
$100 $100
-14.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108 $108
$141 $141
-23.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Campbellsville, KY
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$742 $742
$2,446 $2,446
-69.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$578 $578
$1,678 $1,678
-65.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,246 $1,246
$4,717 $4,717
-73.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,048 $1,048
$2,795 $2,795
-62.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,596 $2,596
$4,105 $4,105
-36.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,585 $2,585
$2,650 $2,650
-2.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Campbellsville, KY
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,211 $3,211
$4,866 $4,866
-34.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.59
6.81
-3.23%

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

Last update for Campbellsville, KY: October 18, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Campbellsville, KY
$578
Chicago, IL
$1.7K 190% $1.1K
Groceries & Markets
Campbellsville, KY
$364
Chicago, IL
$449 23.3% $85
Eating Out
Campbellsville, KY
$246
Chicago, IL
$343 39.3% $97
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Campbellsville, KY
$166
Chicago, IL
$322 94.2% $156
Clothing & Footwear
Campbellsville, KY
$121
Chicago, IL
$161 33.7% $41
Sport & Entertainment
Campbellsville, KY
$62
Chicago, IL
$90 45.5% $28
Getting Around
Campbellsville, KY
$19 *
Chicago, IL
$95 411% $77

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $742 in Campbellsville, KY versus $2,446 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 52% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $50.0 in Campbellsville, KY versus $90.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $364 vs $449 – making Campbellsville, KY the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Campbellsville, KY
🇺🇸 Chicago, IL
🕒 Local time
04:11 4:11 AM
03:11 3:11 AM
1 h behind Campbellsville, KY
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
10,890
2,746,388
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Campbellsville, KY Chicago, IL 540 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Campbellsville, KY
  • 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
Campbellsville, KY vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Campbellsville, KY or Chicago, IL?
Chicago, IL costs about 102% more than Campbellsville, KY, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Campbellsville, KY and in Chicago, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,334 per month in Campbellsville, KY and $4,708 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Campbellsville, KY or Chicago, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Campbellsville, KY, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Campbellsville, KY compared to Chicago, IL?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,556 in Campbellsville, KY and $3,139 in Chicago, IL. That's a gap of about 102%.
How do childcare costs compare in Campbellsville, KY and in Chicago, IL?
Kindergarten costs $1,490 per month in Campbellsville, KY and $1,652 in Chicago, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Campbellsville, KY or in Chicago, IL?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Campbellsville, KY, where all-in costs run around $1,556, than in Chicago, IL at $3,139. In Campbellsville, KY it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Campbellsville, KY or Chicago, IL?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Campbellsville, KY costs $1,556 versus $3,139 in Chicago, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Campbellsville, KY or to Chicago, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Campbellsville, KY. 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.

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