Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Starkville, MS Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Starkville, MS

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,461 in Starkville, MS, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,039 in Starkville, MS, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,617 in Starkville, MS, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 25% more than Starkville, MS, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Starkville, MS sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Starkville, MS by 84%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$16.37 $16.37

27.73%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$49.71 $49.71

97.40%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$6.95 $6.95

70.65%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.47 $4.47

25.28%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.42 $2.42

26.86%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.84 $1.84

34.24%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$4.12 $4.12

73.30%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.17 $7.17

12.69%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.96 $0.96

9.38%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$2.66 $2.66

54.51%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$2.65 $2.65

111.70%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.29 $4.29

5.13%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$7.98 $7.98

78.82%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$8.98 $8.98

65.81%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$15.14 $15.14

26.75%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$3.78 $3.78

35.98%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.66 $1.66

6.63%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$2.87 $2.87

52.96%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.48 $4.48

1.79%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.21 $2.21

14.93%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.29 $2.29

20.09%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.69 $1.69

43.20%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.51 $1.51

73.51%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$7.93 $7.93

88.15%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$12.40 $12.40

19.35%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.72 $1.72

43.02%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.25 $3.25

14.77%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.03 $2.03

22.17%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$4.87 $4.87

-34.70%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.69 $1.69

-15.98%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$18.19 $18.19

37.11%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.80 $0.80

32.50%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$35.7K $35.7K

-10.57%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$26.4K $26.4K

-1.31%

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

$185 $185

$177 $177

4.66%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$30.31 $30.31

103.70%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$64.4 $64.4

3.93%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.22 $42.22

78.04%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$7.77 $7.77

89.32%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$987 $987

104.72%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$8,390 $8,390

369.70%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$42.31 $42.31

52.71%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$36.87 $36.87

42.26%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$88.1 $88.1

11.01%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$129 $129

14.40%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$960 $960

140.77%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,367 $1,367

16.30%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,031 $2,031

126.86%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$1,297 $1,297

114.24%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,188 $2,188

79.19%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,185 $2,185

19.56%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$4,201 $4,201

24.19%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.55

0.76%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Starkville, MS: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $960 in Starkville, MS. 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 24% 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 $50.0 in Starkville, MS. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $317 – making Starkville, MS 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 Starkville, MS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,461 in Starkville, MS – roughly 25% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,691 in Starkville, MS. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Starkville, MS, 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 $50.0 in Starkville, MS. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 41% 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 $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Starkville, MS, where all-in costs run around $2,461, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In Starkville, MS 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 $2,461 in Starkville, MS to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Starkville, MS. 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.