Cost of Living Comparison Between Carmel, IN and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Carmel, IN and Chicago, IL

🙂 Solo nomad: Carmel, IN is 20.4% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 15% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Carmel, IN is 7.8% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 21.3% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Carmel, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.22 $25.22
$20.82 $20.82
21.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75 $75
$100 $100
-25.30%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.2 $11.2
$11.97 $11.97
-6.43%
Cappuccino
$4.68 $4.68
$5.56 $5.56
-15.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 $2.78
$3.11 $3.11
-10.61%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99 $1.99
$2.42 $2.42
-17.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.12 $6.12
$6.86 $6.86
-10.79%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.55 $6.55
$8.45 $8.45
-22.49%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Carmel, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.77 $0.77
$1.04 $1.04
-25.96%
White Bread (500g)
$2.73 $2.73
$4.15 $4.15
-34.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.8 $4.8
$5.52 $5.52
-13.04%
Eggs
$3.46 $3.46
$4.65 $4.65
-25.59%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.43 $9.43
$14.33 $14.33
-34.19%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.05 $11.05
$14.88 $14.88
-25.74%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.77 $14.77
$19.34 $19.34
-23.63%
Apples (1kg)
$5.11 $5.11
$5.17 $5.17
-1.16%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 $1.55
$1.71 $1.71
-9.36%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.48 $4.48
$4.41 $4.41
1.59%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.18 $4.18
$4.51 $4.51
-7.32%
Potato (1kg)
$2.42 $2.42
$2.53 $2.53
-4.35%
Onion (1kg)
$2.69 $2.69
$2.74 $2.74
-1.82%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.75 $1.75
$2.43 $2.43
-27.98%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.08 $2.08
$2.7 $2.7
-22.96%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.21 $9.21
$15.19 $15.19
-39.37%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.26 $13.26
$16.42 $16.42
-19.24%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.17 $2.17
$2.35 $2.35
-7.66%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.81 $3.81
$3.7 $3.7
2.97%
🚌 Getting Around
Carmel, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.37 $2.37
$2.53 $2.53
-6.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.1 $74.1
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.05 $2.05
$3.34 $3.34
-38.62%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.42 $1.42
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.42 $34.42
$25.42 $25.42
35.41%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.86 $0.86
$1.08 $1.08
-20.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4K $24.4K
$32.4K $32.4K
-24.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.7K $22.7K
$26.2K $26.2K
-13.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Carmel, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$235 $235
$188 $188
24.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.5 $63.5
$63.7 $63.7
-0.27%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.9 $65.9
$65.2 $65.2
1.07%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Carmel, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$69.6 $69.6
$76.7 $76.7
-9.31%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$32.59 $32.59
$13.03 $13.03
150.12%
Cinema Ticket
$12.47 $12.47
$14.93 $14.93
-16.48%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Carmel, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,757 $1,757
$2,063 $2,063
-14.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$27.2K $27.2K
$39.2K $39.2K
-30.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Carmel, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$47.24 $47.24
$64.3 $64.3
-26.54%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.36 $41.36
$52.4 $52.4
-21.05%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.3 $87.3
$95.2 $95.2
-8.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 $106
$145 $145
-26.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Carmel, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,492 $1,492
$2,378 $2,378
-37.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,259 $1,259
$1,584 $1,584
-20.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,563 $2,563
$4,763 $4,763
-46.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,887 $1,887
$2,815 $2,815
-32.96%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,886 $1,886
$3,588 $3,588
-47.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,784 $1,784
$2,490 $2,490
-28.36%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Carmel, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,682 $6,682
$5,275 $5,275
26.67%
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 Carmel, IN: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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