Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and North Platte, NE Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and North Platte, NE

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,547 in North Platte, NE, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,601 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,736 in North Platte, NE, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,085 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,924 in North Platte, NE, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 22% more than North Platte, NE, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and North Platte, NE sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 134%, North Platte, NE by 91%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.18 $20.18

$18.66 $18.66

8.15%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$75.0 $75.0

34.83%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.09 $12.09

$11.04 $11.04

9.51%

Cappuccino

$5.75 $5.75

$5.16 $5.16

11.43%

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

$2.98 $2.98

$2.60 $2.60

14.62%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.02 $2.02

21.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.04 $7.04

$5.93 $5.93

18.72%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.27 $8.27

$7.13 $7.13

15.99%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$1.00 $1.00

8.00%

White Bread (500g)

$4.14 $4.14

$3.49 $3.49

18.62%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.38 $5.38

$4.24 $4.24

26.89%

Eggs

$4.52 $4.52

$4.23 $4.23

6.86%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.25 $14.25

$12.11 $12.11

17.67%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.04 $15.04

$11.70 $11.70

28.55%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.84 $18.84

$15.47 $15.47

21.78%

Apples (1kg)

$5.13 $5.13

$4.92 $4.92

4.27%

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.59 $1.59

6.92%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$4.15 $4.15

2.17%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.43 $4.43

$4.58 $4.58

-3.28%

Potato (1kg)

$2.57 $2.57

$2.81 $2.81

-8.54%

Onion (1kg)

$2.73 $2.73

$2.88 $2.88

-5.21%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.02 $2.02

24.75%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.11 $2.11

24.17%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.91 $14.91

$9.46 $9.46

57.61%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.19 $15.19

$15.66 $15.66

-3.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.82 $1.82

35.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$3.42 $3.42

9.36%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.98 $1.98

25.25%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.6 $73.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.31 $3.31

$3.54 $3.54

-6.50%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.58 $1.58

-13.92%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.06 $25.06

$28.86 $28.86

-13.17%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.89 $0.89

17.98%

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

$32.6K $32.6K

$30.1K $30.1K

8.15%

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

$26.5K $26.5K

$25.7K $25.7K

2.99%

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

$187 $187

$185 $185

1.28%

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

$63.6 $63.6

$52.5 $52.5

21.10%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.0 $66.0

$67.9 $67.9

-2.90%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.1 $77.1

$42.64 $42.64

80.84%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.92 $12.92

Cinema Ticket

$15.15 $15.15

$13.35 $13.35

13.48%

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

$2,029 $2,029

$1,321 $1,321

53.59%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.7K $38.7K

$23.6K $23.6K

63.94%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.5 $63.5

$50.5 $50.5

25.75%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.1 $52.1

$40.16 $40.16

29.66%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.1 $96.1

$85.1 $85.1

12.81%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$114 $114

29.81%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,343 $2,343

$1,615 $1,615

45.05%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,623 $1,623

$1,367 $1,367

18.70%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,601 $4,601

$2,581 $2,581

78.28%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,774 $2,774

$2,182 $2,182

27.14%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,933 $3,933

$3,004 $3,004

30.92%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,562 $2,562

$2,379 $2,379

7.70%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,176 $5,176

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 North Platte, NE: June 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,343 in Chicago, IL versus $1,615 in North Platte, NE. 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 $101 in Chicago, IL versus $75.0 in North Platte, NE. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $446 vs $389 – making North Platte, NE 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 North Platte, NE: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,547 in North Platte, NE – roughly 22% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,675 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,820 in North Platte, NE. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in North Platte, NE, 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 $75.0 in North Platte, NE. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 15% 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.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,547 in North Platte, NE. 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 $2,547 in North Platte, NE to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with North Platte, NE. 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.