Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Rock Springs, WY Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Rock Springs, WY

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,585 in Rock Springs, WY, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,837 in Rock Springs, WY, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,089 in Rock Springs, WY, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 18% more than Rock Springs, WY, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Rock Springs, WY sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Rock Springs, WY by 93%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$18.28 $18.28

13.07%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$82.4 $82.4

21.95%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$11.21 $11.21

5.80%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.11 $5.11

8.41%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.32 $2.32

31.90%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.76 $1.76

40.91%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$5.88 $5.88

17.69%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$7.72 $7.72

5.31%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.95 $0.95

9.47%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$3.30 $3.30

18.48%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$3.90 $3.90

38.97%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$4.42 $4.42

1.36%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$12.56 $12.56

15.61%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$10.15 $10.15

49.85%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$16.60 $16.60

15.96%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$5.25 $5.25

2.67%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$2.08 $2.08

-18.75%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$3.56 $3.56

21.35%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$4.66 $4.66

-3.22%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.61 $2.61

-1.92%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.61 $2.61

3.45%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$1.90 $1.90

26.84%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.89 $1.89

38.62%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$8.88 $8.88

69.14%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$15.38 $15.38

-4.36%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.01 $2.01

23.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$2.50 $2.50

47.60%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.03 $2.03

25.62%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.44 $2.44

34.84%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.41 $1.41

1.42%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$24.65 $24.65

0.28%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.01 $1.01

7.92%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$24.7K $24.7K

28.48%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$26.2K $26.2K

1.13%

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

$183 $183

$173 $173

5.97%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$68.7 $68.7

-10.04%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$82.5 $82.5

-21.12%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$42.63 $42.63

78.47%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$14.25 $14.25

3.51%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$986 $986

108.59%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$18.3K $18.3K

110.57%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$65.9 $65.9

-2.95%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$43.54 $43.54

18.49%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$104 $104

-6.17%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$112 $112

30.96%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,632 $1,632

43.96%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,335 $1,335

18.42%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,668 $2,668

76.45%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,205 $2,205

23.14%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$3,061 $3,061

29.90%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,418 $2,418

8.86%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.49

1.69%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Rock Springs, WY: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,632 in Rock Springs, WY. 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $82 in Rock Springs, WY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $379 – making Rock Springs, WY 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 Rock Springs, WY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,585 in Rock Springs, WY – roughly 18% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,878 in Rock Springs, WY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Rock Springs, WY, 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 $100 in Chicago, IL and $82.0 in Rock Springs, WY. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 18% 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 $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $2,585 in Rock Springs, WY. 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 $2,585 in Rock Springs, WY to $3,051 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Rock Springs, WY. 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.