Last update: Oct 2026

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

For one person, living is cheaper in Coon Rapids, MN: $2,444 a month against $3,139 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $8,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Chicago, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$3,139
/mo nomad
Coon Rapids, MN
🇺🇸 United States
$2,444
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chicago, IL and in Coon Rapids, MN

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chicago, IL and in Coon Rapids, MN actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,139 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,444 in Coon Rapids, MN, rent included.

  • Chicago, IL $3,139
  • Coon Rapids, MN $2,444

A couple spends around $4,627 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,456 in Coon Rapids, MN, rent included.

  • Chicago, IL $4,627
  • Coon Rapids, MN $3,456

A family of three spends $6,115 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,467 in Coon Rapids, MN, rent included.

  • Chicago, IL $6,115
  • Coon Rapids, MN $4,467

Chicago, IL costs about 28% more than Coon Rapids, MN, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Chicago, IL and Coon Rapids, MN sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 132%, Coon Rapids, MN by 80%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.65 $20.65
$15.76 $15.76
31.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$90.2 $90.2
$68.7 $68.7
31.34%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.94 $12.94
$9.86 $9.86
31.24%
Cappuccino
$5.60 $5.60
$5.14 $5.14
8.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$2.85 $2.85
-7.37%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27 $2.27
$2.54 $2.54
-10.63%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.98 $6.98
$5.85 $5.85
19.32%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.83 $8.83
$7.29 $7.29
21.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.27 $1.27
$0.94 $0.94
35.11%
White Bread (500g)
$3.80 $3.80
$3.06 $3.06
24.18%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.30 $5.30
$3.45 $3.45
53.62%
Eggs
$4.76 $4.76
$2.98 $2.98
59.73%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.96 $13.96
$9.49 $9.49
47.10%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.61 $14.61
$9.61 $9.61
52.03%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.77 $18.77
$13.61 $13.61
37.91%
Apples (1kg)
$5.19 $5.19
$5.00 $5.00
3.80%
Banana (1kg)
$1.98 $1.98
$1.47 $1.47
34.69%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.93 $3.93
$4.32 $4.32
-9.03%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.96 $4.96
$5.03 $5.03
-1.39%
Potato (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$1.42 $1.42
94.37%
Onion (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$3.58 $3.58
-22.91%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.22 $2.22
$1.97 $1.97
12.69%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.98 $2.98
$1.75 $1.75
70.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.02 $14.02
$12.66 $12.66
10.74%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.28 $15.28
$14.30 $14.30
6.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.58 $2.58
$1.71 $1.71
50.88%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.50 $3.50
$2.93 $2.93
19.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.47 $2.47
$2.07 $2.07
19.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.8 $74.8
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$2.53 $2.53
32.02%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.43 $1.43
$1.54 $1.54
-7.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$24.32 $24.32
$31.65 $31.65
-23.16%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.26 $1.26
$1.00 $1.00
26.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K $35.0K
$27.9K $27.9K
25.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$26.0K $26.0K
0.19%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$193 $193
$166 $166
16.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$68.3 $68.3
$45.66 $45.66
49.47%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.3 $61.3
$43.14 $43.14
42.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$54.1 $54.1
$40.27 $40.27
34.39%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.92 $27.92
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$17.74 $17.74
$13.07 $13.07
35.73%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,652 $1,652
$1,445 $1,445
14.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.1K $31.1K
$27.8K $27.8K
11.67%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.1 $66.1
$41.64 $41.64
58.67%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.2 $51.2
$39.66 $39.66
29.20%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$100 $100
$73.5 $73.5
36.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$141 $141
$110 $110
27.84%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,446 $2,446
$1,220 $1,220
100.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,678 $1,678
$1,360 $1,360
23.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,717 $4,717
$2,201 $2,201
114.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,795 $2,795
$2,034 $2,034
37.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,105 $4,105
$3,045 $3,045
34.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,650 $2,650
$2,187 $2,187
21.18%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Coon Rapids, MN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,866 $4,866
$6,414 $6,414
-24.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.81
6.61
3.03%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 19, 2026

Last update for Coon Rapids, MN: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
$1.7K
Coon Rapids, MN
$1.4K 18.9% $318
Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
$449
Coon Rapids, MN
$343 23.8% $107
Eating Out
Chicago, IL
$343
Coon Rapids, MN
$283 17.7% $61
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
$322
Coon Rapids, MN
$254 21% $68
Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
$161
Coon Rapids, MN
$119 26% $42
Getting Around
Chicago, IL
$95
Coon Rapids, MN
$18 * 80.6% $77
Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
$90
Coon Rapids, MN
$66 25.9% $23

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,446 in Chicago, IL versus $1,220 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 32% 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 $90.0 in Chicago, IL versus $69.0 in Coon Rapids, MN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $449 vs $343 – making Coon Rapids, MN the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Chicago, IL
🇺🇸 Coon Rapids, MN
🕒 Local time
02:36 2:36 AM
02:36 2:36 AM
Same time as Chicago, IL
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,746,388
61,476
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chicago, IL Coon Rapids, MN 590 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Chicago, IL
  • Coon Rapids, MN

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 in Coon Rapids, MN compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,139 in Chicago, IL, $2,444 in Coon Rapids, MN – roughly 28% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Chicago, IL compared to Coon Rapids, MN?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,708 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,666 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 $90.0 in Chicago, IL and $69.0 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 31% 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 $2,444, than in Chicago, IL at $3,139. 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 $2,444 in Coon Rapids, MN to $3,139 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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