Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Coon Rapids, MN Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Coon Rapids, MN

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,589 in Coon Rapids, MN, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,703 in Coon Rapids, MN, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,817 in Coon Rapids, MN, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 18% more than Coon Rapids, MN, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Coon Rapids, MN sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Coon Rapids, MN by 93%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.67 $20.67
$16.03 $16.03
28.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$65.6 $65.6
53.09%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.86 $11.86
$9.88 $9.88
20.04%
Cappuccino
$5.54 $5.54
$5.18 $5.18
6.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.06 $3.06
$2.68 $2.68
14.18%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48 $2.48
$1.31 $1.31
89.31%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.92 $6.92
$5.92 $5.92
16.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.13 $8.13
$6.94 $6.94
17.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$0.95 $0.95
9.47%
White Bread (500g)
$3.91 $3.91
$2.02 $2.02
93.56%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.42 $5.42
$3.91 $3.91
38.62%
Eggs
$4.48 $4.48
$3.29 $3.29
36.17%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.52 $14.52
$9.47 $9.47
53.33%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.21 $15.21
$11.46 $11.46
32.72%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.25 $19.25
$14.21 $14.21
35.47%
Apples (1kg)
$5.39 $5.39
$4.89 $4.89
10.22%
Banana (1kg)
$1.69 $1.69
$1.19 $1.19
42.02%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.32 $4.32
$5.68 $5.68
-23.94%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$5.17 $5.17
-12.77%
Potato (1kg)
$2.56 $2.56
$3.94 $3.94
-35.03%
Onion (1kg)
$2.70 $2.70
$3.62 $3.62
-25.41%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.41 $2.41
$2.02 $2.02
19.31%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.62 $2.62
$1.99 $1.99
31.66%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.02 $15.02
$10.35 $10.35
45.12%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.71 $14.71
$13.32 $13.32
10.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.48 $2.48
$1.75 $1.75
41.71%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.69 $3.69
$4.60 $4.60
-19.78%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.55 $2.55
$2.05 $2.05
24.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$75.5 $75.5
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.29 $3.29
$5.11 $5.11
-35.62%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.43 $1.43
$1.37 $1.37
4.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$24.72 $24.72
$29.41 $29.41
-15.95%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$0.87 $0.87
25.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.8K $31.8K
$36.0K $36.0K
-11.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K $26.4K
$25.3K $25.3K
4.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$183 $183
$220 $220
-16.58%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.8 $61.8
$48.16 $48.16
28.38%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.0 $65.0
$72.2 $72.2
-9.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.1 $76.1
$42.27 $42.27
79.99%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.04 $13.04
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.75 $14.75
$13.80 $13.80
6.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,056 $2,056
$1,433 $1,433
43.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$38.5K $38.5K
$30.1K $30.1K
27.94%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.9 $63.9
$33.62 $33.62
90.15%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.6 $51.6
$41.27 $41.27
25.01%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$97.3 $97.3
$29.58 $29.58
228.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$147 $147
$129 $129
13.99%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,349 $2,349
$1,189 $1,189
97.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,581 $1,581
$1,351 $1,351
17.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,708 $4,708
$2,619 $2,619
79.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,716 $2,716
$2,232 $2,232
21.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,976 $3,976
$2,732 $2,732
45.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,632 $2,632
$2,527 $2,527
4.13%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,723 $4,723
$6,506 $6,506
-27.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
6.43
2.64%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Coon Rapids, MN: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,189 in Coon Rapids, 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 38% higher in Coon Rapids, MN, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $100 in Chicago, IL versus $66 in Coon Rapids, MN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $363 – making Coon Rapids, 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 Coon Rapids, MN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Chicago, IL and Coon Rapids, MN compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,589 in Coon Rapids, MN – roughly 18% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Chicago, IL compared to Coon Rapids, MN?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,883 in Coon Rapids, MN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Chicago, IL and Coon Rapids, MN?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Coon Rapids, MN, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $100 in Chicago, IL and $66.0 in Coon Rapids, MN. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 23% 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.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Coon Rapids, MN, where all-in costs run around $2,589, than in Chicago, IL at $3,051. In Coon Rapids, MN it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Chicago, IL and Coon Rapids, MN?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,589 in Coon Rapids, MN to $3,051 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Chicago, IL and Coon Rapids, MN?
If budget matters most, go with Coon Rapids, 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.

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