Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Mount Pleasant, MI Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Mount Pleasant, MI

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,941 in Mount Pleasant, MI, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,601 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,660 in Mount Pleasant, MI, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,085 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,380 in Mount Pleasant, MI, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 61% more than Mount Pleasant, MI, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Mount Pleasant, MI sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 134%, Mount Pleasant, MI by 46%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.18 $20.18

$19.84 $19.84

1.71%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$65.7 $65.7

53.91%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.09 $12.09

$9.94 $9.94

21.63%

Cappuccino

$5.75 $5.75

$4.05 $4.05

41.98%

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

$2.98 $2.98

$1.68 $1.68

77.38%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.29 $1.29

90.70%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.04 $7.04

$3.97 $3.97

77.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.27 $8.27

$4.86 $4.86

70.16%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.76 $0.76

42.11%

White Bread (500g)

$4.14 $4.14

$2.89 $2.89

43.25%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.38 $5.38

$3.36 $3.36

60.12%

Eggs

$4.52 $4.52

$1.84 $1.84

145.65%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.25 $14.25

$9.35 $9.35

52.41%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.04 $15.04

$11.36 $11.36

32.39%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.84 $18.84

$15.28 $15.28

23.30%

Apples (1kg)

$5.13 $5.13

$3.79 $3.79

35.36%

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.84 $1.84

-7.61%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$3.30 $3.30

28.48%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.43 $4.43

$3.63 $3.63

22.04%

Potato (1kg)

$2.57 $2.57

$2.22 $2.22

15.77%

Onion (1kg)

$2.73 $2.73

$1.95 $1.95

40.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.53 $1.53

64.71%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.52 $1.52

72.37%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.91 $14.91

$10.06 $10.06

48.21%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.19 $15.19

$12.88 $12.88

17.93%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.98 $1.98

24.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$3.07 $3.07

21.82%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.03 $2.03

22.17%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.6 $73.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.31 $3.31

$2.55 $2.55

29.80%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.39 $1.39

-2.16%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.06 $25.06

$40.17 $40.17

-37.62%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.81 $0.81

29.63%

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

$32.6K $32.6K

$28.7K $28.7K

13.64%

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

$26.5K $26.5K

$25.6K $25.6K

3.51%

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

$187 $187

$200 $200

-6.09%

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

$63.6 $63.6

$50.0 $50.0

27.15%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.0 $66.0

$73.1 $73.1

-9.74%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.1 $77.1

$43.51 $43.51

77.22%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.92 $12.92

Cinema Ticket

$15.15 $15.15

$10.10 $10.10

50.00%

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

$2,029 $2,029

$1,493 $1,493

35.96%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.7K $38.7K

$14.1K $14.1K

174.26%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.5 $63.5

$35.38 $35.38

79.56%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.1 $52.1

$39.58 $39.58

31.56%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.1 $96.1

$68.5 $68.5

40.18%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$66.6 $66.6

121.84%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,343 $2,343

$754 $754

210.71%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,623 $1,623

$818 $818

98.47%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,601 $4,601

$2,652 $2,652

73.47%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,774 $2,774

$973 $973

185.23%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,933 $3,933

$1,470 $1,470

167.64%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,562 $2,562

$1,480 $1,480

73.15%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,176 $5,176

$5,700 $5,700

-9.19%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 14, 2026

Last update for Mount Pleasant, MI: June 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,343 in Chicago, IL versus $754 in Mount Pleasant, MI. 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 10% higher in Mount Pleasant, MI, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Chicago, IL versus $66.0 in Mount Pleasant, MI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $446 vs $326 – making Mount Pleasant, MI 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 Mount Pleasant, MI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $1,941 in Mount Pleasant, MI – roughly 61% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,675 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,911 in Mount Pleasant, MI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Mount Pleasant, MI, 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 $66.0 in Mount Pleasant, MI. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 37% 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 Mount Pleasant, MI, where all-in costs run around $1,941, than in Chicago, IL at $3,117. In Mount Pleasant, MI 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 $1,941 in Mount Pleasant, MI to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Mount Pleasant, MI. 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.