Last update: Oct 2026

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

For one person, living is cheaper in Aberdeen, SD: $1,901 a month against $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $13,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

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Cost of Living Index in Chicago, IL
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Chicago, IL Living Index

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Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 United States

$3,037

/mo nomad

Aberdeen, SD

🇺🇸 United States

$1,901

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chicago, IL and in Aberdeen, SD

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chicago, IL and in Aberdeen, SD actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,037 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,901 in Aberdeen, SD, rent included.

Chicago, IL $3,037
Aberdeen, SD $1,901

A couple spends around $4,518 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,696 in Aberdeen, SD, rent included.

Chicago, IL $4,518
Aberdeen, SD $2,696

A family of three spends $5,999 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,490 in Aberdeen, SD, rent included.

Chicago, IL $5,999
Aberdeen, SD $3,490

Chicago, IL costs about 60% more than Aberdeen, SD, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Chicago, IL and Aberdeen, SD sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 123%, Aberdeen, SD by 40%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.71 $20.71

$10.04 $10.04

106.27%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$89.2 $89.2

$65.3 $65.3

36.67%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.19 $13.19

$10.01 $10.01

31.77%

Cappuccino

$5.66 $5.66

$4.41 $4.41

28.34%

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

$2.64 $2.64

$2.46 $2.46

7.32%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.54 $2.54

-10.24%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$4.08 $4.08

68.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.84 $8.84

$7.17 $7.17

23.29%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 $1.25

$0.89 $0.89

40.45%

White Bread (500g)

$3.72 $3.72

$2.51 $2.51

48.21%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$5.35 $5.35

0.75%

Eggs

$4.74 $4.74

$5.96 $5.96

-20.47%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.84 $13.84

$9.82 $9.82

40.94%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$10.05 $10.05

43.28%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.38 $18.38

$18.35 $18.35

0.16%

Apples (1kg)

$5.22 $5.22

$4.30 $4.30

21.40%

Banana (1kg)

$1.98 $1.98

$2.37 $2.37

-16.46%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$3.76 $3.76

7.98%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.97 $4.97

$4.05 $4.05

22.72%

Potato (1kg)

$2.67 $2.67

$4.16 $4.16

-35.82%

Onion (1kg)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.74 $2.74

-2.92%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.24 $2.24

$2.62 $2.62

-14.50%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.13 $3.13

$5.08 $5.08

-38.39%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.82 $13.82

Wine (Bottle)

$14.88 $14.88

$30.35 $30.35

-50.97%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.54 $2.54

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.51 $3.51

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.5 $73.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.39 $1.39

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.03 $25.03

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$0.88 $0.88

36.36%

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

$35.0K $35.0K

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

$26.7K $26.7K

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

$194 $194

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

$69.5 $69.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.6 $61.6

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.90 $47.90

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.34 $27.34

Cinema Ticket

$17.81 $17.81

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

$1,794 $1,794

$733 $733

144.81%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.0 $67.0

$45.29 $45.29

47.98%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.1 $52.1

$24.52 $24.52

112.64%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 $102

$76.4 $76.4

32.98%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,526 $2,526

$1,107 $1,107

128.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,578 $1,578

$1,182 $1,182

33.48%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,738 $4,738

$1,858 $1,858

155.08%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,693 $2,693

$1,617 $1,617

66.52%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,190 $4,190

$1,468 $1,468

185.36%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,768 $2,768

$1,432 $1,432

93.36%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,931 $4,931

$5,180 $5,180

-4.81%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.81

6.76

0.74%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 25, 2026

Last update for Aberdeen, SD: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Chicago, IL

$1.6K 52%

Aberdeen, SD

–

Groceries & Markets

Chicago, IL

$447 14.7%

Aberdeen, SD

–

Eating Out

Chicago, IL

$345 11.4%

Aberdeen, SD

–

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Chicago, IL

$326 10.7%

Aberdeen, SD

–

Clothing & Footwear

Chicago, IL

$164 5.4%

Aberdeen, SD

–

Getting Around

Chicago, IL

$93 3.1%

Aberdeen, SD

–

Sport & Entertainment

Chicago, IL

$84 2.8%

Aberdeen, SD

–

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,526 in Chicago, IL versus $1,107 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 5% 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 $89 in Chicago, IL versus $65 in Aberdeen, SD. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $435 – making Aberdeen, SD the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 Aberdeen, SD

🕒 Local time

01:25 1:25 AM

Same time as Chicago, IL

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

2,746,388

24,071

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.893 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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Between locations

Chicago, IL Aberdeen, SD 960 km ≈ 1 h 45 min nonstop flight

From you

Chicago, IL
Aberdeen, SD

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

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

Chicago, IL costs about 60% more than Aberdeen, SD, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from utilities. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,555 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,852 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: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,107 there versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89 in Chicago, IL and $65 in Aberdeen, SD. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 3% more in Chicago, IL, though the gap depends on what you buy.

Families tend to lean toward Aberdeen, SD – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.