Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Branson, MO Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Branson, MO

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 33% more expensive than Branson, MO without rent, and 27.3% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 52.7% more expensive than Branson, MO without rent, and 38.1% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Branson, MO
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$20.49 $20.49
1.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$50.3 $50.3
99.60%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$11.12 $11.12
7.64%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$4.43 $4.43
25.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$1.02 $1.02
204.90%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$0.99 $0.99
144.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$3.73 $3.73
83.91%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$5.15 $5.15
64.08%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Branson, MO
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.12 $1.12
-7.14%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$2.62 $2.62
58.40%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$3.11 $3.11
77.49%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$3.55 $3.55
30.99%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$7.87 $7.87
82.08%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$8.67 $8.67
71.63%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$12.88 $12.88
50.16%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$4.57 $4.57
13.13%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.5 $1.5
14.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$2.15 $2.15
105.12%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$6.57 $6.57
-31.35%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.14 $2.14
18.22%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$2.16 $2.16
26.85%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$1.47 $1.47
65.31%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$1.96 $1.96
37.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$6.64 $6.64
128.77%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$12.04 $12.04
36.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.99 $1.99
18.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$3.03 $3.03
22.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Branson, MO
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.05 $2.05
23.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$2.48 $2.48
34.68%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$2.23 $2.23
-36.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$20.95 $20.95
21.34%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$0.83 $0.83
30.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$35.8K $35.8K
-9.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$25.1K $25.1K
4.63%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Branson, MO
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$104 $104
80.93%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$61.2 $61.2
4.14%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$54.2 $54.2
20.30%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Branson, MO
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$42.82 $42.82
79.17%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$14.75 $14.75
1.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Branson, MO
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$808 $808
155.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$28.7K $28.7K
36.46%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Branson, MO
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$29.73 $29.73
116.31%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$42.82 $42.82
22.35%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$74.1 $74.1
28.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$126 $126
14.47%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Branson, MO
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$1,619 $1,619
46.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$1,336 $1,336
18.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$2,670 $2,670
78.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$2,245 $2,245
25.37%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$2,830 $2,830
26.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$2,263 $2,263
10.02%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Branson, MO
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
6.5
1.54%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

Last update for Branson, MO: October 29, 2025

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