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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,337 in London, KY, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,324 in London, KY, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,310 in London, KY, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 32% more than London, KY, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and London, KY sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, London, KY by 74%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$15.02 $15.02

39.21%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$49.60 $49.60

97.84%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$8.19 $8.19

44.81%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.46 $4.46

25.56%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$1.96 $1.96

56.63%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.07 $2.07

19.32%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.08 $5.08

40.55%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$4.94 $4.94

63.56%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.83 $0.83

26.51%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$2.68 $2.68

53.36%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$3.90 $3.90

43.85%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$2.94 $2.94

53.40%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$10.45 $10.45

36.56%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$9.72 $9.72

53.19%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$15.70 $15.70

22.23%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.25 $4.25

20.94%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.43 $1.43

23.78%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$1.91 $1.91

129.84%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$2.12 $2.12

115.09%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.98 $1.98

28.28%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$1.71 $1.71

60.82%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.55 $1.55

56.13%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.46 $1.46

79.45%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$5.07 $5.07

194.28%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$15.10 $15.10

-1.99%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.06 $2.06

19.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$1.83 $1.83

103.83%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.95 $1.95

27.18%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.81 $3.81

-16.54%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.52 $1.52

-6.58%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$25.49 $25.49

-2.16%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.86 $0.86

23.26%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$35.5K $35.5K

-10.08%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.6K $25.6K

1.57%

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

$185 $185

$118 $118

56.42%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$57.7 $57.7

6.95%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$55.8 $55.8

20.04%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.40 $43.40

73.20%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$11.61 $11.61

26.70%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$443 $443

356.21%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$17.3K $17.3K

127.37%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$27.82 $27.82

132.24%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$22.12 $22.12

137.12%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$76.2 $76.2

28.39%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$59.3 $59.3

148.90%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$589 $589

292.72%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,380 $1,380

15.24%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$960 $960

379.98%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,211 $2,211

25.67%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,446 $2,446

60.34%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,257 $2,257

15.77%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.2

6.45%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for London, KY: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $589 in London, KY. 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $50.0 in London, KY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $315 – making London, 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 London, KY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,337 in London, KY – roughly 32% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,506 in London, KY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in London, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $50.0 in London, KY. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 42% 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 London, KY, where all-in costs run around $2,337, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In London, 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 $2,337 in London, KY to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with London, 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.