Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and South Bend, IN Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and South Bend, IN

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,892 in South Bend, IN, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,576 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,915 in South Bend, IN, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,143 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,938 in South Bend, IN, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 59% more than South Bend, IN, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and South Bend, IN sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, South Bend, IN by 42%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.27 $20.27

$15.24 $15.24

33.01%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$61.0 $61.0

65.28%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.04 $12.04

$7.67 $7.67

56.98%

Cappuccino

$5.76 $5.76

$4.83 $4.83

19.25%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$1.83 $1.83

62.30%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 $2.38

$1.53 $1.53

55.56%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.20 $7.20

$5.89 $5.89

22.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.05 $8.05

$7.37 $7.37

9.23%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.76 $0.76

43.42%

White Bread (500g)

$4.12 $4.12

$2.67 $2.67

54.31%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$2.75 $2.75

92.36%

Eggs

$4.56 $4.56

$2.88 $2.88

58.33%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.45 $14.45

$11.68 $11.68

23.72%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.79 $14.79

$10.29 $10.29

43.73%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.56 $19.56

$9.66 $9.66

102.48%

Apples (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$4.29 $4.29

26.34%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.28 $1.28

33.59%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.18 $4.18

$2.45 $2.45

70.61%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$1.78 $1.78

157.87%

Potato (1kg)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.11 $2.11

17.54%

Onion (1kg)

$2.72 $2.72

$1.56 $1.56

74.36%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.44 $1.44

71.53%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.72 $2.72

$2.02 $2.02

34.65%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.78 $14.78

$6.61 $6.61

123.60%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.30 $15.30

$13.23 $13.23

15.65%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.09 $2.09

12.44%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$6.02 $6.02

-37.87%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.47 $2.47

$0.98 $0.98

152.04%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.0 $74.0

$35.41 $35.41

109.09%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$3.60 $3.60

-7.78%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.62 $1.62

-15.43%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.65 $24.65

$29.75 $29.75

-17.14%

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

$24.3K $24.3K

33.02%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$25.4K $25.4K

2.62%

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

$186 $186

$174 $174

7.07%

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

$62.6 $62.6

$45.84 $45.84

36.56%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.5 $67.5

$49.95 $49.95

35.12%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.71 $42.71

76.09%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.38 $13.38

$25.78 $25.78

-48.10%

Cinema Ticket

$15.10 $15.10

$13.67 $13.67

10.46%

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

$2,023 $2,023

$1,362 $1,362

48.46%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$23.2K $23.2K

71.69%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$38.61 $38.61

66.38%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$29.73 $29.73

72.15%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.2 $96.2

$50.5 $50.5

90.28%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$49.92 $49.92

194.89%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,329 $2,329

$1,599 $1,599

45.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,570 $1,570

$826 $826

89.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,677 $4,677

$2,457 $2,457

90.36%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,810 $2,810

$1,572 $1,572

78.69%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,082 $4,082

$1,570 $1,570

160.01%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,645 $2,645

$1,601 $1,601

65.18%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,883 $4,883

$3,232 $3,232

51.11%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.4

3.12%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 27, 2026

Last update for South Bend, IN: July 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,329 in Chicago, IL versus $1,599 in South Bend, IN. 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 51% 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 $101 in Chicago, IL versus $61.0 in South Bend, IN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $450 vs $309 – making South Bend, IN 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 South Bend, IN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $1,892 in South Bend, IN – roughly 59% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,838 in South Bend, IN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 46% 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 $101 in Chicago, IL and $61.0 in South Bend, IN. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in South Bend, IN, where all-in costs run around $1,892, than in Chicago, IL at $3,009. In South Bend, IN 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 $1,892 in South Bend, IN to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with South Bend, IN. 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.