Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Bemidji, MN Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Bemidji, MN

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,545 in Bemidji, MN, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,623 in Bemidji, MN, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,700 in Bemidji, MN, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 21% more than Bemidji, MN, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Bemidji, MN sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Bemidji, MN by 90%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$15.25 $15.25

37.11%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$65.2 $65.2

50.44%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$10.82 $10.82

9.61%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.88 $4.88

14.75%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.47 $2.47

24.29%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.99 $1.99

24.12%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.39 $5.39

32.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$6.33 $6.33

27.65%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.96 $0.96

9.38%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$2.02 $2.02

103.47%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.39 $4.39

27.79%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.15 $4.15

8.67%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$12.21 $12.21

16.87%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$11.57 $11.57

28.69%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$15.15 $15.15

26.67%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$5.03 $5.03

2.19%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.64 $1.64

7.93%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.30 $4.30

2.09%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.70 $4.70

-2.98%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.80 $2.80

-9.29%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.80 $2.80

-1.79%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.04 $2.04

18.63%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.11 $2.11

24.17%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$9.58 $9.58

55.74%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$15.15 $15.15

-2.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.82 $1.82

35.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.39 $3.39

10.03%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.06 $2.06

20.39%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.57 $3.57

-10.92%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.58 $1.58

-10.13%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$28.70 $28.70

-13.10%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.83 $0.83

27.71%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$29.5K $29.5K

8.27%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.7K $25.7K

1.32%

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

$185 $185

$190 $190

-2.50%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$52.2 $52.2

18.19%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$84.8 $84.8

-21.06%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.10 $43.10

74.41%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$13.48 $13.48

9.12%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,274 $1,274

58.58%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$23.7K $23.7K

66.07%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$50.9 $50.9

26.84%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$40.03 $40.03

31.03%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$87.8 $87.8

11.40%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$112 $112

32.26%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,612 $1,612

43.46%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,378 $1,378

15.38%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$1,424 $1,424

223.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,178 $2,178

27.55%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,692 $2,692

45.70%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,389 $2,389

9.35%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$3,168 $3,168

64.71%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Bemidji, MN: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,612 in Bemidji, MN. 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 65% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $65.0 in Bemidji, MN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $373 – making Bemidji, MN 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 Bemidji, MN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago, IL costs about 21% more than Bemidji, MN, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,818 in Bemidji, MN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Bemidji, MN, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $65.0 in Bemidji, MN. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 20% 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.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,545 in Bemidji, MN. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bemidji, MN costs $2,545 versus $3,077 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 Bemidji, MN. 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.