Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Kansas City, MO Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Kansas City, MO

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,362 in Kansas City, MO, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,576 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,541 in Kansas City, MO, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,143 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,720 in Kansas City, MO, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 27% more than Kansas City, MO, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Kansas City, MO sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Kansas City, MO by 77%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.27 $20.27

$20.23 $20.23

0.20%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$80.1 $80.1

25.82%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.04 $12.04

$11.81 $11.81

1.95%

Cappuccino

$5.76 $5.76

$4.77 $4.77

20.75%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.30 $2.30

29.13%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 $2.38

$1.89 $1.89

25.93%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.20 $7.20

$5.88 $5.88

22.45%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.05 $8.05

$6.94 $6.94

15.99%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.19 $1.19

-8.40%

White Bread (500g)

$4.12 $4.12

$3.50 $3.50

17.71%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$5.10 $5.10

3.73%

Eggs

$4.56 $4.56

$3.66 $3.66

24.59%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.45 $14.45

$14.05 $14.05

2.85%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.79 $14.79

$10.68 $10.68

38.48%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.56 $19.56

$12.79 $12.79

52.93%

Apples (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$4.49 $4.49

20.71%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.49 $1.49

14.77%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.18 $4.18

$6.59 $6.59

-36.57%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$6.49 $6.49

-29.28%

Potato (1kg)

$2.48 $2.48

$3.62 $3.62

-31.49%

Onion (1kg)

$2.72 $2.72

$3.69 $3.69

-26.29%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.20 $2.20

12.27%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.72 $2.72

$2.78 $2.78

-2.16%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.78 $14.78

$6.97 $6.97

112.05%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.30 $15.30

$15.45 $15.45

-0.97%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$1.99 $1.99

18.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$5.35 $5.35

-30.09%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.01 $2.01

22.89%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.0 $74.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$2.45 $2.45

35.51%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$2.15 $2.15

-36.28%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.65 $24.65

$21.36 $21.36

15.40%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.81 $0.81

29.63%

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

$32.4K $32.4K

$36.4K $36.4K

-10.97%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$25.9K $25.9K

0.68%

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

$186 $186

$214 $214

-12.98%

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

$62.6 $62.6

$61.1 $61.1

2.44%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.5 $67.5

$54.2 $54.2

24.52%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$57.5 $57.5

30.73%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.38 $13.38

$29.53 $29.53

-54.69%

Cinema Ticket

$15.10 $15.10

$14.87 $14.87

1.55%

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

$2,023 $2,023

$1,388 $1,388

45.69%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$28.9K $28.9K

37.88%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$53.9 $53.9

19.29%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$42.46 $42.46

20.54%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.2 $96.2

$103 $103

-7.06%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$124 $124

19.16%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,329 $2,329

$1,336 $1,336

74.23%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,570 $1,570

$1,058 $1,058

48.30%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,677 $4,677

$2,365 $2,365

97.75%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,810 $2,810

$1,672 $1,672

68.02%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,082 $4,082

$2,545 $2,545

60.40%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,645 $2,645

$1,958 $1,958

35.04%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,883 $4,883

$3,869 $3,869

26.22%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.5

1.54%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 27, 2026

Last update for Kansas City, MO: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,329 in Chicago, IL versus $1,336 in Kansas City, MO. 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 26% 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 $101 in Chicago, IL versus $80.0 in Kansas City, MO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $450 vs $418 – making Kansas City, MO 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 Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $2,362 in Kansas City, MO – roughly 27% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,543 in Kansas City, MO. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Kansas City, MO, 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 $101 in Chicago, IL and $80.0 in Kansas City, MO. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 8% 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 Kansas City, MO, where all-in costs run around $2,362, than in Chicago, IL at $3,009. In Kansas City, MO 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 $2,362 in Kansas City, MO to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Kansas City, MO. 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.