Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Brookings, SD Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Brookings, SD

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,111 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,538 in Brookings, SD, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,680 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,607 in Brookings, SD, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,249 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,676 in Brookings, SD, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 23% more than Brookings, SD, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Brookings, SD sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Brookings, SD by 89%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$17.56 $17.56

16.12%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$40.13 $40.13

144.80%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

$11.59 $11.59

4.14%

Cappuccino

$5.73 $5.73

$4.37 $4.37

31.12%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.45 $2.45

21.22%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.05 $2.05

20.49%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.99 $6.99

$5.89 $5.89

18.68%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$7.04 $7.04

16.62%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.92 $0.92

14.13%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$3.69 $3.69

10.57%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$5.55 $5.55

-0.90%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$4.19 $4.19

10.74%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$11.24 $11.24

28.11%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.20 $15.20

$14.03 $14.03

8.34%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$11.81 $11.81

63.25%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$6.44 $6.44

-20.19%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.57 $1.57

12.10%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$6.97 $6.97

-37.73%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$5.50 $5.50

-20.73%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$3.18 $3.18

-23.27%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$3.64 $3.64

-23.35%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.58 $2.58

-2.33%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$1.81 $1.81

46.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.90 $14.90

$12.14 $12.14

22.73%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$12.17 $12.17

23.01%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.25 $2.25

8.89%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$4.88 $4.88

-27.46%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.94 $1.94

25.26%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$4.73 $4.73

-29.81%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.74 $1.74

-20.69%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.11 $25.11

$24.37 $24.37

3.04%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.92 $0.92

18.48%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$29.6K $29.6K

7.47%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$26.4K $26.4K

1.68%

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

$187 $187

$163 $163

15.00%

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

$63.5 $63.5

$50.7 $50.7

25.12%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$68.9 $68.9

-4.94%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.7 $75.7

$42.15 $42.15

79.57%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$12.23 $12.23

21.01%

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

$2,025 $2,025

$1,619 $1,619

25.10%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.0K $39.0K

$26.7K $26.7K

46.13%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$42.79 $42.79

49.92%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$34.43 $34.43

50.25%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$88.9 $88.9

7.56%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$115 $115

25.77%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,326 $2,326

$1,573 $1,573

47.85%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$1,355 $1,355

18.85%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,703 $4,703

$2,676 $2,676

75.74%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,721 $2,721

$2,246 $2,246

21.17%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

$2,743 $2,743

39.60%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

$3,071 $3,071

-17.52%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,100 $5,100

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

5.5

20.00%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 7, 2026

Last update for Brookings, SD: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,326 in Chicago, IL versus $1,573 in Brookings, SD. 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $40.00 in Brookings, SD. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $415 – making Brookings, SD 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 Brookings, SD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago, IL costs about 23% more than Brookings, SD, 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 $4,666 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,807 in Brookings, SD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Brookings, SD, 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 $40.00 in Brookings, SD. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 8% 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.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Brookings, SD, where all-in costs run around $2,538, than in Chicago, IL at $3,111. In Brookings, SD 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. Brookings, SD costs $2,538 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 Brookings, SD. 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.