Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Emporia, KS Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Emporia, KS

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 58.7% more expensive than Emporia, KS without rent, and 104.4% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 69.9% more expensive than Emporia, KS without rent, and 85.9% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Emporia, KS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$12.43 $12.43
67.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$56.7 $56.7
76.90%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$9.33 $9.33
28.30%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$4.54 $4.54
22.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.12 $2.12
46.70%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$1.53 $1.53
58.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$4.97 $4.97
38.03%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$5.85 $5.85
44.44%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Emporia, KS
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$0.79 $0.79
31.65%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$3.15 $3.15
31.75%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$2 $2
176.00%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$2.83 $2.83
64.31%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$8.34 $8.34
71.82%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$10.94 $10.94
36.01%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$13.97 $13.97
38.44%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$4.95 $4.95
4.44%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.16 $1.16
47.41%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$2.82 $2.82
56.38%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$2.84 $2.84
58.80%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.63 $1.63
55.21%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$2.75 $2.75
-0.36%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$1.81 $1.81
34.25%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$2.21 $2.21
22.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$10.12 $10.12
50.10%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$9.34 $9.34
75.80%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.8 $1.8
30.56%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$3.32 $3.32
11.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Emporia, KS
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.04 $2.04
24.02%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$6.68 $6.68
-50.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.26 $1.26
12.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$34.34 $34.34
-25.98%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$0.78 $0.78
38.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$30.4K $30.4K
6.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$24.9K $24.9K
5.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Emporia, KS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$111 $111
69.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$49.55 $49.55
28.56%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$50.5 $50.5
29.19%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Emporia, KS
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$45.83 $45.83
67.40%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$12.55 $12.55
18.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Emporia, KS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$1,073 $1,073
92.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$23.3K $23.3K
68.18%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Emporia, KS
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$48.7 $48.7
32.05%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$24.53 $24.53
113.58%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$85.7 $85.7
11.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$85.6 $85.6
68.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Emporia, KS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$637 $637
273.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$490 $490
223.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$2,109 $2,109
125.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$1,134 $1,134
148.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$1,128 $1,128
218.01%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$1,094 $1,094
127.66%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Emporia, KS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
$5,558 $5,558
-5.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
6.54
0.92%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

Last update for Emporia, KS: October 29, 2025

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