Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Sioux Falls, SD Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Sioux Falls, SD

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,105 in Sioux Falls, SD, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,164 in Sioux Falls, SD, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,224 in Sioux Falls, SD, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 48% more than Sioux Falls, SD, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Sioux Falls, SD sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Sioux Falls, SD by 53%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.86 $19.86

$12.41 $12.41

60.03%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$74.3 $74.3

18.93%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.23 $13.23

$10.01 $10.01

32.17%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$4.43 $4.43

32.28%

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

$2.61 $2.61

$3.19 $3.19

-18.18%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$1.88 $1.88

23.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 $7.03

$3.91 $3.91

79.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.25 $9.25

$6.59 $6.59

40.36%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.83 $0.83

61.45%

White Bread (500g)

$4.19 $4.19

$2.87 $2.87

45.99%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$4.88 $4.88

12.70%

Eggs

$4.71 $4.71

$3.47 $3.47

35.73%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$12.47 $12.47

18.04%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$9.43 $9.43

54.08%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$17.30 $17.30

13.82%

Apples (1kg)

$5.64 $5.64

$4.26 $4.26

32.39%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.69 $1.69

16.57%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$3.75 $3.75

7.73%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$3.87 $3.87

31.01%

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$2.07 $2.07

42.03%

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$3.64 $3.64

-19.78%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.11 $2.11

8.06%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$1.75 $1.75

78.29%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.19 $16.19

$9.70 $9.70

66.91%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$14.27 $14.27

6.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.86 $1.86

43.55%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$3.07 $3.07

13.36%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.47 $1.47

72.79%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

$30.08 $30.08

152.59%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 $3.16

$3.83 $3.83

-17.49%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.65 $1.65

-16.97%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.66 $22.66

$35.08 $35.08

-35.40%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$0.97 $0.97

23.71%

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

$37.0K $37.0K

$35.2K $35.2K

5.30%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.9K $24.9K

4.48%

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

$190 $190

$249 $249

-23.91%

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

$68.5 $68.5

$43.52 $43.52

57.35%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$55.8 $55.8

9.33%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

$43.10 $43.10

47.98%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

$34.86 $34.86

-20.25%

Cinema Ticket

$18.28 $18.28

$12.32 $12.32

48.38%

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

$1,525 $1,525

$1,005 $1,005

51.72%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.0K $32.0K

$7,833 $7,833

308.55%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$32.66 $32.66

96.02%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.4 $54.4

$28.27 $28.27

92.43%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$118 $118

-14.93%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$139 $139

10.35%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,421 $2,421

$1,389 $1,389

74.35%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,690 $1,690

$893 $893

89.20%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,584 $4,584

$2,054 $2,054

123.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,782 $2,782

$1,529 $1,529

82.00%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

$2,413 $2,413

72.77%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

$2,178 $2,178

25.74%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,777 $4,777

$4,259 $4,259

12.16%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.24

2.24%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Last update for Sioux Falls, SD: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $1,389 in Sioux Falls, SD. 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 12% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $74.0 in Sioux Falls, SD. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $360 – making Sioux Falls, SD 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 Sioux Falls, SD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $2,105 in Sioux Falls, SD – roughly 48% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,157 in Sioux Falls, SD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 29% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $74.0 in Sioux Falls, SD. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Sioux Falls, SD, where all-in costs run around $2,105, than in Chicago, IL at $3,106. In Sioux Falls, SD 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 $2,105 in Sioux Falls, SD to $3,106 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Sioux Falls, SD. 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.