Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Overland Park, KS Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Overland Park, KS

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,772 in Overland Park, KS, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,576 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,695 in Overland Park, KS, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,143 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,619 in Overland Park, KS, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 9% more than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Overland Park, KS sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Overland Park, KS by 108%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Overland Park, KS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.27 $20.27
$20.19 $20.19
0.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$101 $101
$76.4 $76.4
31.98%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.04 $12.04
$9.37 $9.37
28.50%
Cappuccino
$5.76 $5.76
$5.01 $5.01
14.97%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97 $2.97
$2.37 $2.37
25.32%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38 $2.38
$1.95 $1.95
22.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.20 $7.20
$5.91 $5.91
21.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.05 $8.05
$7.06 $7.06
14.02%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Overland Park, KS
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$0.98 $0.98
11.22%
White Bread (500g)
$4.12 $4.12
$2.89 $2.89
42.56%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.29 $5.29
$4.62 $4.62
14.50%
Eggs
$4.56 $4.56
$3.58 $3.58
27.37%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.45 $14.45
$10.96 $10.96
31.84%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.79 $14.79
$8.99 $8.99
64.52%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.56 $19.56
$13.56 $13.56
44.25%
Apples (1kg)
$5.42 $5.42
$4.60 $4.60
17.83%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.30 $1.30
31.54%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.18 $4.18
$3.54 $3.54
18.08%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.59 $4.59
$6.17 $6.17
-25.61%
Potato (1kg)
$2.48 $2.48
$3.19 $3.19
-22.26%
Onion (1kg)
$2.72 $2.72
$2.57 $2.57
5.84%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.47 $2.47
$1.98 $1.98
24.75%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.72 $2.72
$2.16 $2.16
25.93%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.78 $14.78
$6.96 $6.96
112.36%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.30 $15.30
$15.20 $15.20
0.66%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.75 $1.75
34.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.74 $3.74
$3.50 $3.50
6.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Overland Park, KS
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.47 $2.47
$6.91 $6.91
-64.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.0 $74.0
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.32 $3.32
$3.04 $3.04
9.21%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.37 $1.37
$1.34 $1.34
2.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$24.65 $24.65
$20.83 $20.83
18.34%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.05 $1.05
$0.83 $0.83
26.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$24.2K $24.2K
33.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$25.7K $25.7K
1.70%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Overland Park, KS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$186 $186
$230 $230
-18.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$62.6 $62.6
$61.1 $61.1
2.52%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$67.5 $67.5
$53.5 $53.5
26.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Overland Park, KS
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$75.2 $75.2
$59.6 $59.6
26.19%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.38 $13.38
$55.6 $55.6
-75.93%
Cinema Ticket
$15.10 $15.10
$11.93 $11.93
26.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Overland Park, KS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,023 $2,023
$1,323 $1,323
52.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.9K $39.9K
$28.3K $28.3K
40.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Overland Park, KS
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.2 $64.2
$53.0 $53.0
21.23%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.2 $51.2
$42.63 $42.63
20.06%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.2 $96.2
$98.2 $98.2
-2.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$147 $147
$126 $126
16.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Overland Park, KS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,329 $2,329
$1,673 $1,673
39.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,570 $1,570
$1,506 $1,506
4.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,677 $4,677
$2,415 $2,415
93.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,810 $2,810
$1,785 $1,785
57.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,082 $4,082
$1,588 $1,588
157.04%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,645 $2,645
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Overland Park, KS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,883 $4,883
$5,028 $5,028
-2.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
6.6
-

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 27, 2026

Last update for Overland Park, KS: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,329 in Chicago, IL versus $1,673 in Overland Park, KS. 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 3% higher in Overland Park, KS, 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 $76.0 in Overland Park, KS. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $450 vs $360 – making Overland Park, KS 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 Overland Park, KS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Chicago, IL and in Overland Park, KS compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $2,772 in Overland Park, KS – roughly 9% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Chicago, IL compared to Overland Park, KS?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,158 in Overland Park, KS. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Chicago, IL and Overland Park, KS?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Overland Park, KS, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Chicago, IL and $76.0 in Overland Park, KS. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 25% 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.
Which city is feasible on a $2,500 budget?
$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $2,772 in Overland Park, KS. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Chicago, IL and Overland Park, KS?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,772 in Overland Park, KS to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Chicago, IL and Overland Park, KS?
If budget matters most, go with Overland Park, KS. 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.

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