Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Rolla, MO Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Rolla, MO

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,068 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,335 in Rolla, MO, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,648 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,119 in Rolla, MO, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,229 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,903 in Rolla, MO, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 130% more than Rolla, MO, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Rolla, MO sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Rolla, MO by 0%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.17 $20.17

$15.12 $15.12

33.40%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.5 $99.5

$45.49 $45.49

118.69%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.23 $12.23

$8.39 $8.39

45.77%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$3.88 $3.88

44.33%

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

$3.12 $3.12

$2.02 $2.02

54.46%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.22 $1.22

99.18%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.93 $6.93

$3.92 $3.92

76.79%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.20 $8.20

$5.53 $5.53

48.28%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.97 $0.97

11.34%

White Bread (500g)

$3.97 $3.97

$2.99 $2.99

32.78%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.58 $5.58

$2.07 $2.07

169.57%

Eggs

$4.47 $4.47

$1.42 $1.42

214.79%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.50 $14.50

$9.36 $9.36

54.91%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$9.02 $9.02

67.18%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.34 $19.34

$11.40 $11.40

69.65%

Apples (1kg)

$5.37 $5.37

$4.60 $4.60

16.74%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.28 $1.28

37.50%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$3.17 $3.17

36.28%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.41 $4.41

$3.91 $3.91

12.79%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.65 $1.65

53.94%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.48 $2.48

8.87%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.49 $2.49

$2.00 $2.00

24.50%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.60 $2.60

$1.78 $1.78

46.07%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.80 $14.80

$5.12 $5.12

189.06%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.18 $15.18

$5.13 $5.13

195.91%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.72 $1.72

43.60%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.60 $3.60

$3.52 $3.52

2.27%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.95 $1.95

30.26%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.3 $76.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$3.06 $3.06

7.84%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.52 $1.52

-9.21%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.36 $25.36

$35.42 $35.42

-28.40%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.70 $0.70

55.71%

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

$31.6K $31.6K

$30.4K $30.4K

4.23%

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

$26.6K $26.6K

$26.0K $26.0K

2.13%

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

$186 $186

$124 $124

49.92%

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

$62.9 $62.9

$68.4 $68.4

-8.06%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$73.9 $73.9

-10.46%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.6 $77.6

$24.93 $24.93

211.35%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.16 $13.16

$9.88 $9.88

33.20%

Cinema Ticket

$14.74 $14.74

$8.88 $8.88

65.99%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$780 $780

161.46%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$23.4K $23.4K

70.14%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$52.3 $52.3

22.08%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$33.71 $33.71

51.79%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.2 $95.2

$68.2 $68.2

39.55%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$101 $101

42.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,305 $2,305

$501 $501

360.43%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,575 $1,575

$351 $351

349.00%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,688 $4,688

$931 $931

403.33%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,737 $2,737

$789 $789

246.77%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,063 $4,063

$2,439 $2,439

66.62%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,696 $2,696

$2,567 $2,567

5.03%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,019 $5,019

$4,586 $4,586

9.44%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.65

-0.75%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 11, 2026

Last update for Rolla, MO: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,305 in Chicago, IL versus $501 in Rolla, MO. 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 9% 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $45.00 in Rolla, MO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $289 – making Rolla, MO 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 Rolla, MO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,068 in Chicago, IL, $1,335 in Rolla, MO – roughly 130% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,602 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,003 in Rolla, MO. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Rolla, MO, 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $45.00 in Rolla, MO. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 55% 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 $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Rolla, MO, where all-in costs run around $1,335, than in Chicago, IL at $3,068. In Rolla, MO 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 $1,335 in Rolla, MO to $3,068 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Rolla, MO. 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.