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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,068 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,355 in Anderson, IN, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,648 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,351 in Anderson, IN, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,229 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,346 in Anderson, IN, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 30% more than Anderson, IN, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Anderson, IN sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Anderson, IN by 76%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.17 $20.17

$11.98 $11.98

68.36%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.5 $99.5

$44.77 $44.77

122.20%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.23 $12.23

$7.83 $7.83

56.19%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.44 $4.44

26.13%

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

$3.12 $3.12

$2.15 $2.15

45.12%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$2.09 $2.09

16.27%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.93 $6.93

$3.57 $3.57

94.12%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.20 $8.20

$4.36 $4.36

88.07%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.56 $0.56

92.86%

White Bread (500g)

$3.97 $3.97

$2.16 $2.16

83.80%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.58 $5.58

$3.82 $3.82

46.07%

Eggs

$4.47 $4.47

$3.23 $3.23

38.39%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.50 $14.50

$10.53 $10.53

37.70%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$9.34 $9.34

61.46%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.34 $19.34

$15.52 $15.52

24.61%

Apples (1kg)

$5.37 $5.37

$4.65 $4.65

15.48%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.44 $1.44

22.22%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$4.01 $4.01

7.73%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.41 $4.41

$4.90 $4.90

-10.00%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.02 $2.02

25.74%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.08 $3.08

-12.34%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.49 $2.49

$1.82 $1.82

36.81%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.60 $2.60

$1.47 $1.47

76.87%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.80 $14.80

$8.91 $8.91

66.11%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.18 $15.18

$18.63 $18.63

-18.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.07 $2.07

19.32%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.60 $3.60

$1.82 $1.82

97.80%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.95 $1.95

30.26%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.3 $76.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$3.70 $3.70

-10.81%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.37 $1.37

0.73%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.36 $25.36

$25.39 $25.39

-0.12%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.87 $0.87

25.29%

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

$31.6K $31.6K

$34.8K $34.8K

-9.07%

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

$26.6K $26.6K

$25.0K $25.0K

6.42%

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

$186 $186

$119 $119

56.78%

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

$62.9 $62.9

$55.9 $55.9

12.41%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$56.5 $56.5

17.07%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.6 $77.6

$24.63 $24.63

215.14%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.16 $13.16

Cinema Ticket

$14.74 $14.74

$13.72 $13.72

7.43%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$1,537 $1,537

32.68%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$17.1K $17.1K

132.78%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$41.35 $41.35

54.41%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$40.17 $40.17

27.38%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.2 $95.2

$87.7 $87.7

8.52%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$99.7 $99.7

44.50%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,305 $2,305

$1,612 $1,612

43.05%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,575 $1,575

$1,334 $1,334

18.07%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,688 $4,688

$1,334 $1,334

251.43%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,737 $2,737

$2,252 $2,252

21.57%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,063 $4,063

$1,633 $1,633

148.90%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,696 $2,696

$1,659 $1,659

62.53%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,019 $5,019

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.54

0.92%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 11, 2026

Last update for Anderson, IN: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,305 in Chicago, IL versus $1,612 in Anderson, IN. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $45.00 in Anderson, IN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $341 – making Anderson, IN 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 Anderson, IN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago, IL costs about 30% more than Anderson, IN, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,602 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,533 in Anderson, IN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Anderson, IN, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,068 in Chicago, IL and $2,355 in Anderson, IN. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,039 per month in Chicago, IL and $1,537 in Anderson, IN. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Anderson, IN, where all-in costs run around $2,355, than in Chicago, IL at $3,068. In Anderson, IN 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. Anderson, IN costs $2,355 versus $3,068 in Chicago, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Anderson, IN. 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.