Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Springdale, AR Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Springdale, AR

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,557 in Springdale, AR, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,705 in Springdale, AR, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,852 in Springdale, AR, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 20% more than Springdale, AR, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Springdale, AR sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Springdale, AR by 91%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$19.17 $19.17

9.08%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$74.6 $74.6

31.63%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$11.21 $11.21

5.80%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.99 $4.99

12.22%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.60 $2.60

18.08%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.96 $1.96

26.02%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$6.09 $6.09

17.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.09 $7.09

13.96%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.99 $0.99

6.06%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.60 $3.60

14.17%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.43 $4.43

26.64%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.25 $4.25

6.12%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$12.21 $12.21

16.87%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$11.30 $11.30

31.77%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$15.71 $15.71

22.15%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.83 $4.83

6.42%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.56 $1.56

13.46%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.15 $4.15

5.78%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.76 $4.76

-4.20%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.79 $2.79

-8.96%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.85 $2.85

-3.51%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.04 $2.04

18.63%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.16 $2.16

21.30%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$9.68 $9.68

54.13%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$13.89 $13.89

6.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.78 $1.78

38.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.26 $3.26

14.42%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.95 $1.95

27.18%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.44 $3.44

-7.56%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.63 $1.63

-12.88%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$28.78 $28.78

-13.34%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.84 $0.84

26.19%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$29.8K $29.8K

7.14%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.4K $25.4K

2.39%

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

$185 $185

$188 $188

-1.48%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$52.7 $52.7

17.20%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$68.5 $68.5

-2.36%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.72 $42.72

75.96%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$13.32 $13.32

10.44%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,314 $1,314

53.72%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$23.7K $23.7K

66.00%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$51.8 $51.8

24.63%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$40.69 $40.69

28.90%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$86.2 $86.2

13.47%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$113 $113

30.98%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,579 $1,579

46.42%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,345 $1,345

18.21%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,587 $2,587

78.14%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,265 $2,265

22.70%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,731 $2,731

43.58%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,402 $2,402

8.78%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Springdale, AR: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,579 in Springdale, AR. 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $75.0 in Springdale, AR. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $386 – making Springdale, AR 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 Springdale, AR: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,557 in Springdale, AR – roughly 20% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,836 in Springdale, AR. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Springdale, AR, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $75.0 in Springdale, AR. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 16% 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.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,557 in Springdale, AR. 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 $2,557 in Springdale, AR to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Springdale, AR. 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.