Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Kearney, NE Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Kearney, NE

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 38.9% more expensive than Kearney, NE without rent, and 48.2% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 34.6% more expensive than Kearney, NE without rent, and 73.6% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Kearney, NE
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$15.22 $15.22
36.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$59.4 $59.4
68.92%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$11.56 $11.56
3.55%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$5.2 $5.2
6.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.14 $2.14
45.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$1.99 $1.99
21.61%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$3.93 $3.93
74.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$5.14 $5.14
64.40%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Kearney, NE
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$0.87 $0.87
19.54%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$1.63 $1.63
154.60%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$3.84 $3.84
43.75%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$3.3 $3.3
40.91%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$8.79 $8.79
63.03%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$6.67 $6.67
123.09%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$15.51 $15.51
24.69%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$6.66 $6.66
-22.37%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$2.17 $2.17
-21.20%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$5.88 $5.88
-25.00%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$4.94 $4.94
-8.70%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.77 $1.77
42.94%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$2.7 $2.7
1.48%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$1.98 $1.98
22.73%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$2.47 $2.47
9.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$9.47 $9.47
60.40%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$14.77 $14.77
11.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.74 $1.74
35.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$1.97 $1.97
87.82%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Kearney, NE
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.05 $2.05
23.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$2.94 $2.94
13.61%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.34 $1.34
5.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$24.82 $24.82
2.42%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$0.87 $0.87
24.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$24K $24K
35.16%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$26K $26K
0.91%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Kearney, NE
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$325 $325
-42.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$52.2 $52.2
21.98%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$65.8 $65.8
-0.93%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Kearney, NE
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$56 $56
37.10%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
$5.87 $5.87
121.98%
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$12.36 $12.36
20.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Kearney, NE
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$903 $903
128.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$25.1K $25.1K
56.40%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Kearney, NE
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$30.38 $30.38
111.69%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$38.01 $38.01
37.83%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$96.6 $96.6
-1.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$112 $112
29.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Kearney, NE
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$912 $912
160.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$722 $722
119.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$2,661 $2,661
79.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$1,050 $1,050
168.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$1,395 $1,395
157.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$1,402 $1,402
77.60%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Kearney, NE
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
$7,439 $7,439
-29.09%
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: October 29, 2025

Last update for Kearney, NE: October 27, 2025

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