Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Saint Louis, MO Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Saint Louis, MO

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,435 in Saint Louis, MO, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,713 in Saint Louis, MO, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,990 in Saint Louis, MO, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 26% more than Saint Louis, MO, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Chicago, IL and Saint Louis, MO sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Saint Louis, MO by 82%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$25.30 $25.30

-17.35%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$68.8 $68.8

42.69%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$10.92 $10.92

8.61%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.87 $4.87

14.99%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.49 $2.49

23.29%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.90 $1.90

30.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.56 $5.56

28.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$5.93 $5.93

36.26%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.95 $0.95

10.53%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$2.90 $2.90

41.72%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$5.72 $5.72

-1.92%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$2.95 $2.95

52.88%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$14.33 $14.33

-0.42%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$11.80 $11.80

26.19%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$16.73 $16.73

14.70%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$7.33 $7.33

-29.88%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.30 $2.30

-23.04%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$5.64 $5.64

-22.16%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.13 $4.13

10.41%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.84 $3.84

-33.85%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$3.87 $3.87

-28.94%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.30 $2.30

5.22%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.38 $2.38

10.08%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$7.52 $7.52

98.40%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$15.09 $15.09

-1.92%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.08 $2.08

18.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$4.03 $4.03

-7.44%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.55 $2.55

-2.75%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$77.2 $77.2

-2.29%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.58 $3.58

-11.17%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.50 $1.50

-5.33%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$39.84 $39.84

-37.40%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.83 $0.83

27.71%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$32.7K $32.7K

-2.43%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$26.4K $26.4K

-1.47%

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

$185 $185

$246 $246

-24.81%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$52.6 $52.6

17.29%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$69.7 $69.7

-3.97%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$27.10 $27.10

177.38%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

$19.78 $19.78

-33.87%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$12.93 $12.93

13.77%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,303 $1,303

55.05%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$24.0K $24.0K

64.43%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$50.5 $50.5

28.07%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$41.11 $41.11

27.58%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$92.2 $92.2

6.10%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$118 $118

24.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,424 $1,424

62.43%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,037 $1,037

53.31%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,372 $2,372

94.27%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$1,987 $1,987

39.81%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$1,451 $1,451

170.29%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$1,880 $1,880

38.95%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$4,131 $4,131

26.30%

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: May 30, 2026

Last update for Saint Louis, MO: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,424 in Saint Louis, 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 26% 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $69.0 in Saint Louis, MO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $425 – making Saint Louis, 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 Saint Louis, MO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,435 in Saint Louis, MO – roughly 26% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,653 in Saint Louis, MO. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Saint Louis, MO, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 5% 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 mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $69.0 in Saint Louis, MO. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,435 in Saint Louis, MO. 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 $2,435 in Saint Louis, MO to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Saint Louis, 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.