Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Georgetown, KY Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Georgetown, KY

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,501 in Georgetown, KY, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,598 in Georgetown, KY, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,696 in Georgetown, KY, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 22% more than Georgetown, KY, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Georgetown, KY sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Georgetown, KY by 87%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$15.28 $15.28

35.27%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$63.8 $63.8

57.53%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$9.86 $9.86

20.28%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.18 $4.18

32.54%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.27 $2.27

34.80%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.77 $1.77

40.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$5.90 $5.90

17.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$8.04 $8.04

1.12%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.79 $0.79

31.65%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$2.37 $2.37

64.98%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$3.63 $3.63

49.31%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$3.32 $3.32

34.94%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$12.75 $12.75

13.88%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$11.33 $11.33

34.25%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$16.54 $16.54

16.38%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.75 $4.75

13.47%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.40 $1.40

20.71%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$3.53 $3.53

22.38%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$5.22 $5.22

-13.60%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.94 $2.94

-12.93%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.17 $3.17

-14.83%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$1.98 $1.98

21.72%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.24 $2.24

16.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$7.75 $7.75

93.81%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$12.94 $12.94

13.68%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.75 $1.75

41.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$4.54 $4.54

-18.72%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.02 $2.02

26.24%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$5.03 $5.03

-34.59%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.29 $1.29

10.85%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$29.21 $29.21

-15.37%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.80 $0.80

36.25%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$23.3K $23.3K

36.04%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.7K $25.7K

2.83%

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

$183 $183

$203 $203

-9.94%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$45.48 $45.48

35.95%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$62.7 $62.7

3.81%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$43.80 $43.80

73.70%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

$24.81 $24.81

-47.44%

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$13.89 $13.89

6.19%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$546 $546

276.69%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$5,004 $5,004

669.37%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$45.93 $45.93

39.19%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$35.44 $35.44

45.57%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$73.5 $73.5

32.31%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$105 $105

40.11%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,572 $1,572

49.43%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,344 $1,344

17.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,521 $2,521

86.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,241 $2,241

21.19%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$5,412 $5,412

-12.73%

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: April 20, 2026

Last update for Georgetown, KY: April 19, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,572 in Georgetown, KY. 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 Georgetown, KY, 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $64 in Georgetown, KY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $370 – making Georgetown, KY 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 Georgetown, KY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,501 in Georgetown, KY – roughly 22% 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 $3,752 in Georgetown, KY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Georgetown, KY, 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 $64.0 in Georgetown, KY. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 21% 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 $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Georgetown, KY, where all-in costs run around $2,501, than in Chicago, IL at $3,051. In Georgetown, KY 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 $2,501 in Georgetown, KY to $3,051 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 Georgetown, KY. 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.