Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fargo, ND Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fargo, ND

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 7.2% more expensive than Fargo, ND without rent, and 45.4% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 5.9% more expensive than Fargo, ND without rent, and 42.2% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Fargo, ND
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$15.24 $15.24
36.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$49.56 $49.56
102.46%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$11.11 $11.11
7.74%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$5.37 $5.37
3.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.59 $2.59
20.08%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$2.03 $2.03
19.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$6.03 $6.03
13.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$8.46 $8.46
-0.12%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Fargo, ND
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.23 $1.23
-15.45%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$3.36 $3.36
23.51%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$5.8 $5.8
-4.83%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$4.05 $4.05
14.81%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$12.26 $12.26
16.88%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$14.6 $14.6
1.92%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$19.37 $19.37
-0.15%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$8.33 $8.33
-37.94%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$2.77 $2.77
-38.27%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$6.42 $6.42
-31.31%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$4.89 $4.89
-7.77%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$3.76 $3.76
-32.71%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$3.5 $3.5
-21.71%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$1.94 $1.94
25.26%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$2.63 $2.63
2.66%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$9.19 $9.19
65.29%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$15.26 $15.26
7.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$2.52 $2.52
-6.75%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$4.75 $4.75
-22.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Fargo, ND
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.52 $1.52
66.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
$41.75 $41.75
77.56%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$4.54 $4.54
-26.43%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.66 $1.66
-14.46%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$28.89 $28.89
-12.01%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$0.8 $0.8
35.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$32.9K $32.9K
-1.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$24.9K $24.9K
5.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Fargo, ND
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$161 $161
16.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$54.3 $54.3
17.29%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$58.3 $58.3
11.80%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Fargo, ND
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$56.1 $56.1
36.80%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$13.9 $13.9
7.41%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Fargo, ND
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$1,228 $1,228
67.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$23.1K $23.1K
69.91%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Fargo, ND
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$51.8 $51.8
24.15%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$45.88 $45.88
14.19%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$90.9 $90.9
4.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$108 $108
34.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Fargo, ND
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$960 $960
147.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$770 $770
105.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$2,540 $2,540
87.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$1,532 $1,532
83.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$1,721 $1,721
108.50%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$1,750 $1,750
42.34%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Fargo, ND
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
$3,832 $3,832
37.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
6.56
0.61%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

Last update for Fargo, ND: October 29, 2025

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