Cost of Living Comparison Between Decatur, AL and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Decatur, AL and Chicago, IL

🙂 Solo nomad: Decatur, AL is 22.3% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 15.7% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Decatur, AL is 38.7% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 25% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Decatur, AL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.38 $11.38
$20.82 $20.82
-45.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.76 $49.76
$100 $100
-50.41%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.16 $9.16
$11.97 $11.97
-23.48%
Cappuccino
$4.3 $4.3
$5.56 $5.56
-22.66%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.24 $1.24
$3.11 $3.11
-60.13%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59 $1.59
$2.42 $2.42
-34.30%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.63 $4.63
$6.86 $6.86
-32.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.15 $6.15
$8.45 $8.45
-27.22%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Decatur, AL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.51 $0.51
$1.04 $1.04
-50.96%
White Bread (500g)
$2.81 $2.81
$4.15 $4.15
-32.29%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.54 $4.54
$5.52 $5.52
-17.75%
Eggs
$4.15 $4.15
$4.65 $4.65
-10.75%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.15 $11.15
$14.33 $14.33
-22.19%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.96 $10.96
$14.88 $14.88
-26.34%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.41 $15.41
$19.34 $19.34
-20.32%
Apples (1kg)
$6.41 $6.41
$5.17 $5.17
23.98%
Banana (1kg)
$1.62 $1.62
$1.71 $1.71
-5.26%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.28 $5.28
$4.41 $4.41
19.73%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.79 $4.79
$4.51 $4.51
6.21%
Potato (1kg)
$5.01 $5.01
$2.53 $2.53
98.02%
Onion (1kg)
$3.41 $3.41
$2.74 $2.74
24.45%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.34 $2.34
$2.43 $2.43
-3.70%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.44 $2.44
$2.7 $2.7
-9.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.77 $7.77
$15.19 $15.19
-48.85%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.36 $14.36
$16.42 $16.42
-12.55%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 $1.78
$2.35 $2.35
-24.26%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85 $1.85
$3.7 $3.7
-50.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Decatur, AL
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.95 $1.95
$2.53 $2.53
-22.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.1 $74.1
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.04 $2.04
$3.34 $3.34
-38.92%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.38 $1.38
$1.42 $1.42
-2.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$19.88 $19.88
$25.42 $25.42
-21.79%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.79 $0.79
$1.08 $1.08
-26.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.9K $32.9K
$32.4K $32.4K
1.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K $26.7K
$26.2K $26.2K
1.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Decatur, AL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$217 $217
$188 $188
15.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.3 $58.3
$63.7 $63.7
-8.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$67.8 $67.8
$65.2 $65.2
3.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Decatur, AL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.73 $42.73
$76.7 $76.7
-44.30%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.35 $9.35
$14.93 $14.93
-37.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Decatur, AL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,534 $1,534
$2,063 $2,063
-25.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$27.7K $27.7K
$39.2K $39.2K
-29.41%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Decatur, AL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.29 $39.29
$64.3 $64.3
-38.91%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.39 $32.39
$52.4 $52.4
-38.18%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$73.4 $73.4
$95.2 $95.2
-22.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$136 $136
$145 $145
-5.82%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Decatur, AL
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,578 $1,578
$2,378 $2,378
-33.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,369 $1,369
$1,584 $1,584
-13.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,731 $1,731
$4,763 $4,763
-63.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,189 $2,189
$2,815 $2,815
-22.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,639 $1,639
$3,588 $3,588
-54.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,671 $1,671
$2,490 $2,490
-32.92%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Decatur, AL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$5,275 $5,275
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.53
6.6
-1.06%

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

Last update for Decatur, AL: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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