Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and El Dorado, AR Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and El Dorado, AR

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,688 in El Dorado, AR, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,428 in El Dorado, AR, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,168 in El Dorado, AR, rent included.

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

Both Chicago, IL and El Dorado, AR sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, El Dorado, AR by 26%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$17.66 $17.66

17.04%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$59.2 $59.2

69.72%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$11.36 $11.36

4.40%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.84 $4.84

14.46%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.79 $2.79

9.68%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.33 $2.33

6.44%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$5.09 $5.09

35.95%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$6.14 $6.14

32.41%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.03 $1.03

0.97%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$3.53 $3.53

10.76%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$2.99 $2.99

81.27%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$3.07 $3.07

45.93%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$9.79 $9.79

48.31%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$11.53 $11.53

31.92%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$16.55 $16.55

16.31%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.29 $4.29

25.64%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.41 $1.41

19.86%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$2.85 $2.85

51.58%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$3.85 $3.85

17.14%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.58 $1.58

62.03%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.48 $2.48

8.87%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$1.99 $1.99

21.11%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.75 $1.75

49.71%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$8.31 $8.31

80.75%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$12.21 $12.21

20.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.65 $1.65

50.30%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$2.15 $2.15

71.63%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.98 $1.98

28.79%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.45 $2.45

34.29%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.48 $1.48

-3.38%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$23.76 $23.76

4.04%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.76 $0.76

43.42%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$24.0K $24.0K

32.29%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$26.1K $26.1K

1.23%

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

$183 $183

$137 $137

33.97%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$58.8 $58.8

5.21%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$40.76 $40.76

59.57%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$43.83 $43.83

73.58%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$8.86 $8.86

66.48%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$1,030 $1,030

99.61%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$18.8K $18.8K

104.52%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$53.4 $53.4

19.83%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$35.40 $35.40

45.73%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$78.5 $78.5

23.85%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$58.8 $58.8

150.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,595 $1,595

47.32%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$615 $615

157.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,254 $2,254

108.91%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$809 $809

235.49%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$2,716 $2,716

46.40%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,185 $2,185

20.43%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$4,154 $4,154

13.70%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.58

0.30%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for El Dorado, AR: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,595 in El Dorado, AR. 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 14% 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $59 in El Dorado, AR. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $343 – making El Dorado, AR 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 El Dorado, AR: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $1,688 in El Dorado, AR – roughly 81% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,533 in El Dorado, AR. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in El Dorado, AR, 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 $100 in Chicago, IL and $59.0 in El Dorado, AR. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 30% 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 El Dorado, AR, where all-in costs run around $1,688, than in Chicago, IL at $3,051. In El Dorado, AR 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 $1,688 in El Dorado, AR to $3,051 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with El Dorado, AR. 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.