Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Billings, MT Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Billings, MT

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,111 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,182 in Billings, MT, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,680 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,404 in Billings, MT, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,249 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,626 in Billings, MT, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 43% more than Billings, MT, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Billings, MT sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Billings, MT by 62%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$20.02 $20.02

1.85%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$59.8 $59.8

64.23%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

$14.44 $14.44

-16.41%

Cappuccino

$5.73 $5.73

$5.90 $5.90

-2.88%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.09 $2.09

42.11%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.68 $2.68

-7.84%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.99 $6.99

$4.47 $4.47

56.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$5.15 $5.15

59.42%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.30 $1.30

-19.23%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$4.25 $4.25

-4.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$4.24 $4.24

29.72%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$3.15 $3.15

47.30%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$14.39 $14.39

0.07%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.20 $15.20

$12.25 $12.25

24.08%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$16.23 $16.23

18.79%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.59 $4.59

11.98%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.45 $1.45

21.38%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$3.83 $3.83

13.32%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$6.40 $6.40

-31.87%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$1.82 $1.82

34.07%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$3.10 $3.10

-10.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.45 $2.45

2.86%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$1.33 $1.33

100.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.90 $14.90

$9.44 $9.44

57.84%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$12.94 $12.94

15.69%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.24 $2.24

9.37%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$3.93 $3.93

-9.92%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$2.05 $2.05

18.54%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

$28.18 $28.18

164.48%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$2.56 $2.56

29.69%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.65 $1.65

-16.36%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.11 $25.11

$29.44 $29.44

-14.71%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.82 $0.82

32.93%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$21.6K $21.6K

47.18%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$24.9K $24.9K

7.70%

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

$187 $187

$156 $156

19.70%

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

$63.5 $63.5

$48.59 $48.59

30.58%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$67.2 $67.2

-2.52%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.7 $75.7

$48.72 $48.72

55.36%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$14.07 $14.07

5.19%

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

$2,025 $2,025

$981 $981

106.38%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.0K $39.0K

$31.5K $31.5K

23.86%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$57.4 $57.4

11.80%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$66.7 $66.7

-22.39%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$102 $102

-6.03%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$123 $123

18.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,326 $2,326

$1,137 $1,137

104.56%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$939 $939

71.55%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,703 $4,703

$2,157 $2,157

118.07%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,721 $2,721

$1,847 $1,847

47.29%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

$2,349 $2,349

63.04%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

$2,057 $2,057

23.10%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,100 $5,100

$3,904 $3,904

30.62%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.59

0.15%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 7, 2026

Last update for Billings, MT: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,326 in Chicago, IL versus $1,137 in Billings, MT. 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 31% 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 $60.0 in Billings, MT. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $400 – making Billings, MT 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 Billings, MT: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago, IL costs about 43% more than Billings, MT, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,666 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,272 in Billings, MT. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Public transport costs about 164% less in Billings, MT. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Kindergarten costs $2,025 per month in Chicago, IL and $981 in Billings, MT. 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 Billings, MT, where all-in costs run around $2,182, than in Chicago, IL at $3,111. In Billings, MT 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. Billings, MT costs $2,182 versus $3,111 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 Billings, MT. 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.