Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Des Moines, IA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Des Moines, IA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,058 in Des Moines, IA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,601 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,151 in Des Moines, IA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,085 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,244 in Des Moines, IA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 51% more than Des Moines, IA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Des Moines, IA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 134%, Des Moines, IA by 54%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.18 $20.18

$16.09 $16.09

25.42%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$79.3 $79.3

27.58%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.09 $12.09

$11.87 $11.87

1.85%

Cappuccino

$5.75 $5.75

$4.90 $4.90

17.35%

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

$2.98 $2.98

$2.31 $2.31

29.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.88 $1.88

30.85%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.04 $7.04

$5.04 $5.04

39.68%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.27 $8.27

$6.95 $6.95

18.99%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.91 $0.91

18.68%

White Bread (500g)

$4.14 $4.14

$2.54 $2.54

62.99%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.38 $5.38

$2.26 $2.26

138.05%

Eggs

$4.52 $4.52

$3.55 $3.55

27.32%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.25 $14.25

$12.54 $12.54

13.64%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.04 $15.04

$10.45 $10.45

43.92%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.84 $18.84

$12.78 $12.78

47.42%

Apples (1kg)

$5.13 $5.13

$4.44 $4.44

15.54%

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.49 $1.49

14.09%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$3.73 $3.73

13.67%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.43 $4.43

$3.45 $3.45

28.41%

Potato (1kg)

$2.57 $2.57

$1.62 $1.62

58.64%

Onion (1kg)

$2.73 $2.73

$3.07 $3.07

-11.07%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.20 $2.20

14.55%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.08 $1.08

142.59%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.91 $14.91

$7.23 $7.23

106.22%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.19 $15.19

$14.93 $14.93

1.74%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.71 $1.71

43.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$3.91 $3.91

-4.35%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.71 $1.71

45.03%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.6 $73.6

$58.0 $58.0

27.01%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.31 $3.31

$2.03 $2.03

63.05%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.22 $1.22

11.48%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.06 $25.06

$20.07 $20.07

24.86%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.82 $0.82

28.05%

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

$32.6K $32.6K

$26.0K $26.0K

25.25%

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

$26.5K $26.5K

$24.2K $24.2K

9.36%

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

$187 $187

$143 $143

31.52%

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

$63.6 $63.6

$50.3 $50.3

26.42%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.0 $66.0

$52.9 $52.9

24.64%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.1 $77.1

$65.7 $65.7

17.40%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.92 $12.92

$19.78 $19.78

-34.68%

Cinema Ticket

$15.15 $15.15

$14.71 $14.71

2.99%

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

$2,029 $2,029

$1,366 $1,366

48.52%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.7K $38.7K

$12.0K $12.0K

221.09%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.5 $63.5

$53.9 $53.9

17.98%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.1 $52.1

$42.32 $42.32

23.04%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.1 $96.1

$72.4 $72.4

32.72%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$127 $127

16.68%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,343 $2,343

$1,250 $1,250

87.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,623 $1,623

$916 $916

77.12%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,601 $4,601

$1,787 $1,787

157.47%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,774 $2,774

$1,486 $1,486

86.76%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,933 $3,933

$2,341 $2,341

68.01%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,562 $2,562

$2,351 $2,351

8.98%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,176 $5,176

$3,699 $3,699

39.94%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.5

1.54%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 14, 2026

Last update for Des Moines, IA: June 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,343 in Chicago, IL versus $1,250 in Des Moines, IA. 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 40% 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 $101 in Chicago, IL versus $79.0 in Des Moines, IA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $446 vs $328 – making Des Moines, IA 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 Des Moines, IA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,058 in Des Moines, IA – roughly 51% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,675 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,086 in Des Moines, IA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Des Moines, IA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 36% 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 mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Chicago, IL and $79.0 in Des Moines, IA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Des Moines, IA, where all-in costs run around $2,058, than in Chicago, IL at $3,117. In Des Moines, IA 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 $2,058 in Des Moines, IA to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Des Moines, IA. 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.