Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Meridian, MS Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Meridian, MS

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,695 in Meridian, MS, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,962 in Meridian, MS, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,230 in Meridian, MS, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 14% more than Meridian, MS, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Meridian, MS sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Meridian, MS by 101%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$26.04 $26.04

-19.70%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$125 $125

-21.73%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$11.78 $11.78

0.68%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.04 $2.04

50.49%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.12 $2.12

16.51%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.85 $5.85

22.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$8.15 $8.15

-0.86%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.95 $0.95

10.53%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.93 $3.93

4.58%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$2.07 $2.07

171.01%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.01 $4.01

12.47%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$14.80 $14.80

-3.58%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$8.77 $8.77

69.78%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$14.55 $14.55

31.89%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$3.04 $3.04

69.08%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.13 $1.13

56.64%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$2.75 $2.75

59.64%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.34 $4.34

5.07%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.89 $1.89

34.39%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$3.28 $3.28

-16.16%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.09 $2.09

15.79%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$3.07 $3.07

-14.66%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$7.07 $7.07

111.03%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$16.87 $16.87

-12.27%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.10 $2.10

17.14%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.57 $3.57

4.48%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.98 $1.98

25.25%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.53 $3.53

-9.92%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.51 $1.51

-5.96%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$34.87 $34.87

-28.48%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.76 $0.76

39.47%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$34.4K $34.4K

-7.33%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$27.8K $27.8K

-6.47%

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

$185 $185

$238 $238

-22.19%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$59.1 $59.1

4.43%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$71.4 $71.4

-6.21%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.18 $42.18

78.21%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$12.86 $12.86

14.39%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$595 $595

239.33%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$10.1K $10.1K

288.43%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$53.7 $53.7

20.43%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$40.98 $40.98

27.99%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$75.7 $75.7

29.19%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$112 $112

31.46%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,570 $1,570

47.25%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,343 $1,343

18.36%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,627 $2,627

75.42%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,189 $2,189

26.94%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,569 $2,569

52.64%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,426 $2,426

7.67%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$4,115 $4,115

26.78%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.57

0.46%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Meridian, MS: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,570 in Meridian, MS. 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 27% 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $125 in Meridian, MS. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $368 in Meridian, MS – so Meridian, MS wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Meridian, MS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,695 in Meridian, MS – roughly 14% 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 $4,042 in Meridian, MS. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Meridian, MS, 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 $125 in Meridian, MS. 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.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,695 in Meridian, MS. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,695 in Meridian, MS to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Meridian, MS. 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.