Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and East Lansing, MI Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and East Lansing, MI

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,168 in East Lansing, MI, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,119 in East Lansing, MI, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,071 in East Lansing, MI, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 42% more than East Lansing, MI, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and East Lansing, MI sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, East Lansing, MI by 62%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$13.03 $13.03

60.48%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$65.7 $65.7

49.41%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$9.83 $9.83

20.65%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.53 $4.53

23.62%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.29 $2.29

34.06%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.33 $1.33

85.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.05 $5.05

41.39%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$5.05 $5.05

60.00%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.75 $0.75

40.00%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$2.84 $2.84

44.72%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.15 $4.15

35.18%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$2.44 $2.44

84.84%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$12.51 $12.51

14.07%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$11.55 $11.55

28.92%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$14.95 $14.95

28.36%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$3.92 $3.92

31.12%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.79 $1.79

-1.12%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.39 $3.39

29.50%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$3.75 $3.75

21.60%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.34 $2.34

8.55%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$1.97 $1.97

39.59%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.30 $2.30

5.22%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.14 $2.14

22.43%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$10.09 $10.09

47.87%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$15.69 $15.69

-5.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.70 $1.70

44.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$1.54 $1.54

142.21%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.59 $1.59

55.97%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$49.43 $49.43

52.60%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$2.44 $2.44

30.33%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.36 $1.36

4.41%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$40.37 $40.37

-38.22%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.82 $0.82

29.27%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$29.3K $29.3K

9.07%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.5K $25.5K

2.23%

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

$185 $185

$176 $176

4.90%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$50.5 $50.5

22.38%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$62.6 $62.6

6.90%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$35.94 $35.94

109.15%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

$14.87 $14.87

-12.04%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$11.14 $11.14

32.05%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,477 $1,477

36.80%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$14.1K $14.1K

179.87%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$43.73 $43.73

47.75%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$37.27 $37.27

40.73%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$68.8 $68.8

42.10%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$65.6 $65.6

124.82%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,242 $1,242

86.25%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,055 $1,055

50.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,055 $2,055

124.26%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$1,649 $1,649

68.51%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,027 $2,027

93.51%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$1,588 $1,588

64.49%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$5,999 $5,999

-13.03%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for East Lansing, MI: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,242 in East Lansing, MI. 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 15% higher in East Lansing, MI, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $66.0 in East Lansing, MI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $354 – making East Lansing, MI 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 East Lansing, MI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,168 in East Lansing, MI – roughly 42% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,252 in East Lansing, MI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 26% 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $66.0 in East Lansing, MI. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in East Lansing, MI, where all-in costs run around $2,168, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In East Lansing, MI 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 $2,168 in East Lansing, MI to $3,077 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 East Lansing, MI. 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.