Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Decatur, AL Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Decatur, AL

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 28.7% more expensive than Decatur, AL without rent, and 18.6% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 63.2% more expensive than Decatur, AL without rent, and 33.3% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Decatur, AL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$11.38 $11.38
82.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$49.76 $49.76
101.65%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$9.16 $9.16
30.68%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$4.3 $4.3
29.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$1.24 $1.24
150.81%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$1.59 $1.59
52.20%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$4.63 $4.63
48.16%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$6.15 $6.15
37.40%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Decatur, AL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$0.51 $0.51
103.92%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$2.81 $2.81
47.69%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$4.54 $4.54
21.59%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$4.15 $4.15
12.05%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$11.15 $11.15
28.52%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$10.96 $10.96
35.77%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$15.41 $15.41
25.50%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$6.41 $6.41
-19.34%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.62 $1.62
5.56%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$5.28 $5.28
-16.48%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$4.79 $4.79
-5.85%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$5.01 $5.01
-49.50%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$3.41 $3.41
-19.65%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$2.34 $2.34
3.85%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$2.44 $2.44
10.66%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$7.77 $7.77
95.50%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$14.36 $14.36
14.35%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.78 $1.78
32.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$1.85 $1.85
100.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Decatur, AL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.95 $1.95
29.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$2.04 $2.04
63.73%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.38 $1.38
2.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$19.88 $19.88
27.87%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$0.79 $0.79
36.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$32.9K $32.9K
-1.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$26.7K $26.7K
-1.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Decatur, AL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$217 $217
-13.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$58.3 $58.3
9.19%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$67.8 $67.8
-3.83%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Decatur, AL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$42.73 $42.73
79.55%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$9.35 $9.35
59.68%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Decatur, AL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$1,534 $1,534
34.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$27.7K $27.7K
41.67%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Decatur, AL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$39.29 $39.29
63.68%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$32.39 $32.39
61.75%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$73.4 $73.4
29.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$136 $136
6.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Decatur, AL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$1,578 $1,578
50.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$1,369 $1,369
15.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$1,731 $1,731
175.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$2,189 $2,189
28.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$1,639 $1,639
118.91%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$1,671 $1,671
49.07%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Decatur, AL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
6.53
1.07%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

Last update for Decatur, AL: October 29, 2025

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