Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Albert Lea, MN Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Albert Lea, MN

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 29.7% more expensive than Albert Lea, MN without rent, and 66.3% more expensive with rent.

😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 62.1% more expensive than Albert Lea, MN without rent, and 67% more expensive with rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.59 $20.59

$14.75 $14.75

39.59%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.0 $99.0

$68.7 $68.7

44.23%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.90 $11.90

$10.39 $10.39

14.53%

Cappuccino

$5.83 $5.83

$5.61 $5.61

3.92%

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

$3.02 $3.02

$1.89 $1.89

59.79%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.49 $1.49

66.44%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.80 $6.80

$4.53 $4.53

50.11%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$6.11 $6.11

33.06%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.85 $0.85

27.06%

White Bread (500g)

$4.05 $4.05

$2.92 $2.92

38.70%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.58 $5.58

$2.22 $2.22

151.35%

Eggs

$4.57 $4.57

$3.18 $3.18

43.71%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.16 $14.16

$8.88 $8.88

59.46%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.25 $15.25

$10.69 $10.69

42.66%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.90 $18.90

$16.19 $16.19

16.74%

Apples (1kg)

$5.27 $5.27

$4.68 $4.68

12.61%

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.20 $1.20

41.67%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.25 $4.25

$5.32 $5.32

-20.11%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.58 $4.58

$4.62 $4.62

-0.87%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$2.50 $2.50

-2.40%

Onion (1kg)

$2.83 $2.83

$2.23 $2.23

26.91%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$2.04 $2.04

23.04%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.71 $2.71

$2.16 $2.16

25.46%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$9.33 $9.33

60.99%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.28 $16.28

$13.73 $13.73

18.57%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.39 $2.39

$2.18 $2.18

9.63%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.56 $3.56

$3.37 $3.37

5.64%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.51 $2.51

$2.04 $2.04

23.04%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.1 $75.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 $3.19

$3.58 $3.58

-10.89%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.43 $1.43

-0.70%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.48 $25.48

$45.34 $45.34

-43.80%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.10 $1.10

$0.84 $0.84

30.95%

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

$31.6K $31.6K

$39.2K $39.2K

-19.50%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$27.0K $27.0K

-3.20%

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

$186 $186

$203 $203

-8.40%

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

$61.5 $61.5

$54.7 $54.7

12.35%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.5 $66.5

$70.1 $70.1

-5.15%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.8 $77.8

$43.54 $43.54

78.71%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.93 $12.93

Cinema Ticket

$14.86 $14.86

$12.92 $12.92

15.02%

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

$2,094 $2,094

$964 $964

117.25%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.3K $39.3K

$23.6K $23.6K

66.90%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$65.2 $65.2

$45.24 $45.24

44.19%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.7 $50.7

$25.35 $25.35

99.84%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.6 $96.6

$49.22 $49.22

96.22%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 $143

$60.2 $60.2

138.05%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,309 $2,309

$1,117 $1,117

106.77%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,597 $1,597

$736 $736

116.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,723 $4,723

$1,676 $1,676

181.81%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,806 $2,806

$1,237 $1,237

126.85%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,787 $3,787

$2,550 $2,550

48.52%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,494 $2,494

$2,515 $2,515

-0.87%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,384 $5,384

$2,833 $2,833

90.04%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.49

1.69%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: January 12, 2026

Last update for Albert Lea, MN: January 13, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated December 2025)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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