Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Des Plaines, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Des Plaines, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,558 in Des Plaines, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,593 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,846 in Des Plaines, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,177 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,133 in Des Plaines, IL, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 18% more than Des Plaines, IL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Des Plaines, IL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 125%, Des Plaines, IL by 91%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.35 $20.35

$14.74 $14.74

38.06%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$81.5 $81.5

24.68%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.98 $11.98

$11.21 $11.21

6.87%

Cappuccino

$5.70 $5.70

$5.33 $5.33

6.94%

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

$3.00 $3.00

$2.67 $2.67

12.36%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.34 $2.34

5.13%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$5.96 $5.96

15.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.09 $8.09

$6.83 $6.83

18.45%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.94 $0.94

9.57%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$4.10 $4.10

-3.66%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$5.09 $5.09

6.48%

Eggs

$4.50 $4.50

$4.12 $4.12

9.22%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$13.98 $13.98

3.93%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$13.47 $13.47

10.54%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.98 $18.98

$16.40 $16.40

15.73%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.37 $4.37

23.34%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.61 $1.61

9.94%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$4.26 $4.26

2.11%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$4.52 $4.52

0.22%

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.48 $2.48

2.02%

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.70 $2.70

4.07%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$1.95 $1.95

28.72%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.98 $1.98

34.85%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.88 $14.88

$14.28 $14.28

4.20%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.22 $15.22

$15.05 $15.05

1.13%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.36 $2.36

4.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 $3.53

$3.70 $3.70

-4.59%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.95 $1.95

31.28%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.3 $74.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 $3.19

$4.42 $4.42

-27.83%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.43 $1.43

-1.40%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.49 $25.49

$25.19 $25.19

1.19%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.10 $1.10

-5.45%

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

$32.2K $32.2K

$25.4K $25.4K

27.04%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$25.0K $25.0K

7.07%

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

$184 $184

$186 $186

-1.38%

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

$63.1 $63.1

$50.8 $50.8

24.13%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.4 $66.4

$65.8 $65.8

0.88%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.9 $75.9

$43.70 $43.70

73.71%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

$39.41 $39.41

-66.86%

Cinema Ticket

$15.25 $15.25

$15.06 $15.06

1.26%

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

$2,090 $2,090

$1,621 $1,621

28.91%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.2K $39.2K

$24.4K $24.4K

60.71%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$65.5 $65.5

-1.92%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.0 $51.0

$49.03 $49.03

4.02%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.2 $97.2

$95.0 $95.0

2.31%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 $149

$132 $132

12.19%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,341 $2,341

$1,598 $1,598

46.49%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 $1,572

$1,358 $1,358

15.74%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,741 $4,741

$2,584 $2,584

83.48%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,819 $2,819

$2,183 $2,183

29.16%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,900 $3,900

$3,208 $3,208

21.55%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,638 $2,638

$2,466 $2,466

6.97%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,769 $4,769

$6,236 $6,236

-23.53%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026

Last update for Des Plaines, IL: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $1,598 in Des Plaines, 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 31% higher in Des Plaines, IL, 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $82.0 in Des Plaines, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $411 – making Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $2,558 in Des Plaines, IL – roughly 18% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,837 in Des Plaines, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Des Plaines, 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 $82.0 in Des Plaines, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 9% 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.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $2,558 in Des Plaines, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,558 in Des Plaines, IL to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Des Plaines, 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.