Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Kirksville, MO Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Kirksville, MO

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,200 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,648 in Kirksville, MO, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,654 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,827 in Kirksville, MO, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,107 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,006 in Kirksville, MO, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 21% more than Kirksville, MO, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Kirksville, MO sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 136%, Kirksville, MO by 95%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.84 $19.84

$18.13 $18.13

9.43%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$86.0 $86.0

$78.8 $78.8

9.23%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.34 $13.34

$8.13 $8.13

64.08%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.02 $5.02

10.36%

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

$2.76 $2.76

$2.39 $2.39

15.48%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.62 $1.62

45.68%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.18 $7.18

$5.84 $5.84

22.95%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.97 $8.97

$7.07 $7.07

26.87%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.12 $1.12

19.64%

White Bread (500g)

$3.97 $3.97

$2.86 $2.86

38.81%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.69 $5.69

$1.44 $1.44

295.14%

Eggs

$4.68 $4.68

$2.91 $2.91

60.82%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.13 $14.13

$14.20 $14.20

-0.49%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.37 $14.37

$11.48 $11.48

25.17%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.22 $19.22

$13.10 $13.10

46.72%

Apples (1kg)

$5.23 $5.23

$6.47 $6.47

-19.17%

Banana (1kg)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.78 $1.78

11.24%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.03 $4.03

$5.47 $5.47

-26.33%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.02 $5.02

$5.08 $5.08

-1.18%

Potato (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.74 $2.74

2.55%

Onion (1kg)

$2.69 $2.69

$4.93 $4.93

-45.44%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.44 $2.44

$2.82 $2.82

-13.48%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.86 $2.86

$2.82 $2.82

1.42%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.99 $15.99

$6.10 $6.10

162.13%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.05 $15.05

$15.18 $15.18

-0.86%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.89 $2.89

-9.34%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.47 $3.47

$3.38 $3.38

2.66%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.90 $1.90

30.53%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.6 $74.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.60 $3.60

-11.67%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.53 $1.53

-6.54%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.74 $19.74

$40.69 $40.69

-51.49%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.18 $1.18

$0.96 $0.96

22.92%

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

$35.8K $35.8K

$35.4K $35.4K

1.03%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$24.5K $24.5K

6.97%

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

$196 $196

$240 $240

-18.44%

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

$67.5 $67.5

$70.1 $70.1

-3.75%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$76.5 $76.5

-20.12%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$65.2 $65.2

$41.27 $41.27

57.98%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.76 $27.76

Cinema Ticket

$18.13 $18.13

$14.27 $14.27

27.05%

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

$1,517 $1,517

$1,390 $1,390

9.18%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$30.0K $30.0K

$23.3K $23.3K

28.63%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.4 $62.4

$59.9 $59.9

4.28%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.2 $52.2

$40.68 $40.68

28.27%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$88.6 $88.6

10.42%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$119 $119

23.26%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,402 $2,402

$674 $674

256.20%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,668 $1,668

$1,296 $1,296

28.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,534 $4,534

$2,534 $2,534

78.97%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,732 $2,732

$2,120 $2,120

28.84%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,034 $4,034

$2,684 $2,684

50.30%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,652 $2,652

$2,581 $2,581

2.76%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,764 $4,764

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.09

4.76%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 2, 2026

Last update for Kirksville, MO: August 3, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,402 in Chicago, IL versus $674 in Kirksville, MO. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $86.0 in Chicago, IL versus $79.0 in Kirksville, MO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $454 vs $402 – making Kirksville, 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 Kirksville, MO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,200 in Chicago, IL, $2,648 in Kirksville, MO – roughly 21% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,801 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,972 in Kirksville, MO. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Kirksville, 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 $86.0 in Chicago, IL and $79.0 in Kirksville, MO. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 13% 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 $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Kirksville, MO, where all-in costs run around $2,648, than in Chicago, IL at $3,200. In Kirksville, 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 $2,648 in Kirksville, MO to $3,200 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 Kirksville, 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.