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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,066 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,690 in Decatur, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,583 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,503 in Decatur, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,100 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,315 in Decatur, IL, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 81% more than Decatur, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Decatur, IL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Decatur, IL by 25%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.53 $20.53

$19.13 $19.13

7.32%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$68.2 $68.2

49.00%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.03 $12.03

$8.97 $8.97

34.11%

Cappuccino

$5.62 $5.62

$4.94 $4.94

13.77%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.16 $2.16

42.13%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.68 $1.68

44.05%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.98 $6.98

$5.04 $5.04

38.49%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.10 $8.10

$6.05 $6.05

33.88%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.77 $0.77

40.26%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$2.52 $2.52

56.75%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.52 $5.52

$1.99 $1.99

177.39%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$3.65 $3.65

24.66%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.58 $14.58

$8.76 $8.76

66.44%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.91 $14.91

$7.83 $7.83

90.42%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.83 $18.83

$13.36 $13.36

40.94%

Apples (1kg)

$5.34 $5.34

$4.32 $4.32

23.61%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$2.14 $2.14

-17.76%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.45 $4.45

-1.35%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$3.38 $3.38

29.29%

Potato (1kg)

$2.55 $2.55

$0.89 $0.89

186.52%

Onion (1kg)

$2.78 $2.78

$1.13 $1.13

146.02%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.52 $1.52

61.84%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.59 $2.59

2.70%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.74 $14.74

$6.94 $6.94

112.39%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$15.06 $15.06

0.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.82 $1.82

34.62%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.68 $3.68

$2.05 $2.05

79.51%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.05 $2.05

22.93%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.95 $2.95

11.53%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.38 $1.38

3.62%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.86 $24.86

$29.41 $29.41

-15.47%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.82 $0.82

32.93%

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

$31.3K $31.3K

$29.9K $29.9K

4.92%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$25.8K $25.8K

3.87%

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

$187 $187

$84.4 $84.4

121.73%

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

$62.4 $62.4

$60.8 $60.8

2.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.1 $67.1

$62.1 $62.1

8.07%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$75.5 $75.5

-0.40%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.17 $13.17

Cinema Ticket

$15.21 $15.21

$11.93 $11.93

27.49%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$1,322 $1,322

54.21%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.3K $39.3K

$23.5K $23.5K

67.29%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$57.7 $57.7

10.91%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.6 $50.6

$42.63 $42.63

18.67%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.4 $95.4

$75.6 $75.6

26.21%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$189 $189

-24.12%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,355 $2,355

$886 $886

165.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,613 $1,613

$559 $559

188.46%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,728 $4,728

$1,020 $1,020

363.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,754 $2,754

$824 $824

234.33%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,803 $3,803

$934 $934

306.97%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,580 $2,580

$932 $932

176.78%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,738 $4,738

$4,466 $4,466

6.10%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.56

0.61%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 14, 2026

Last update for Decatur, IL: April 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,355 in Chicago, IL versus $886 in Decatur, IL. 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 6% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $102 in Chicago, IL versus $68 in Decatur, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $316 – making Decatur, IL 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 Decatur, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,066 in Chicago, IL, $1,690 in Decatur, IL – roughly 81% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,535 in Decatur, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Decatur, IL, 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 $102 in Chicago, IL and $68.0 in Decatur, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 42% 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 $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Decatur, IL, where all-in costs run around $1,690, than in Chicago, IL at $3,066. In Decatur, IL it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,690 in Decatur, IL to $3,066 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Decatur, IL. 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.