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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,899 in Aberdeen, SD, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,670 in Aberdeen, SD, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,442 in Aberdeen, SD, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 64% more than Aberdeen, SD, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Chicago, IL and Aberdeen, SD sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Aberdeen, SD by 39%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$9.93 $9.93

100.60%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$63.9 $63.9

38.46%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$10.09 $10.09

28.25%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.35 $4.35

27.36%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.45 $2.45

11.84%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.46 $2.46

-4.07%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$4.10 $4.10

73.66%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$7.01 $7.01

24.54%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.95 $0.95

41.05%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$2.47 $2.47

68.83%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$5.48 $5.48

4.56%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$5.96 $5.96

-17.95%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$9.82 $9.82

50.41%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$9.99 $9.99

48.65%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$18.03 $18.03

8.76%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$4.30 $4.30

29.53%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$2.40 $2.40

-20.00%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.82 $3.82

9.16%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$4.03 $4.03

20.60%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$4.13 $4.13

-31.23%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.73 $2.73

2.56%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.57 $2.57

-14.40%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$5.05 $5.05

-39.41%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$30.32 $30.32

-51.12%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.84 $0.84

39.29%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

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

$26.2K $26.2K

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

$191 $191

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

$67.9 $67.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

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

$1,522 $1,522

$733 $733

107.69%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$44.44 $44.44

43.29%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$25.42 $25.42

117.35%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$76.0 $76.0

32.20%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,119 $1,119

115.03%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,162 $1,162

42.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$1,832 $1,832

149.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$1,611 $1,611

72.06%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$1,376 $1,376

193.03%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$1,345 $1,345

104.14%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$5,296 $5,296

-9.28%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.35

0.47%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Aberdeen, SD: September 15, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,119 in Aberdeen, SD. 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 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $64.0 in Aberdeen, SD. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $434 – making Aberdeen, SD 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

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

Chicago, IL costs about 64% more than Aberdeen, SD, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,848 in Aberdeen, SD. 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. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $64.0 in Aberdeen, SD. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 7% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Aberdeen, SD, where all-in costs run around $1,899, than in Chicago, IL at $3,117. In Aberdeen, SD it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Aberdeen, SD costs $1,899 versus $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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 Aberdeen, SD. 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.