๐A single person spends $2,201 per month in Eagan vs $3,051 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $3,311 per month in Eagan vs $4,638 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $4,421 per month in Eagan vs $6,224 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
๐Eagan is about 28% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
๐Both Eagan and Chicago, IL sit above the global median โ Eagan by 64%, Chicago, IL by 128%.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Eagan
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.74$17.74
$20.67$20.67
-14.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.0$69.0
$100$100
-31.33%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.85$11.85
$11.86$11.86
-0.08%
Cappuccino
$6.19$6.19
$5.54$5.54
11.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25$2.25
$3.06$3.06
-26.47%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51$1.51
$2.48$2.48
-39.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.35$4.35
$6.92$6.92
-37.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.95$6.95
$8.13$8.13
-14.51%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Eagan
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.88$0.88
$1.04$1.04
-15.38%
White Bread(500g)
$3.38$3.38
$3.91$3.91
-13.55%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.28$5.28
$5.42$5.42
-2.58%
Eggs
$3.06$3.06
$4.48$4.48
-31.70%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.98$10.98
$14.52$14.52
-24.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.92$11.92
$15.21$15.21
-21.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.66$17.66
$19.25$19.25
-8.26%
Apples(1kg)
$5.31$5.31
$5.39$5.39
-1.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77$1.77
$1.69$1.69
4.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.13$2.13
$4.32$4.32
-50.69%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.44$5.44
$4.51$4.51
20.62%
Potato(1kg)
$2.98$2.98
$2.56$2.56
16.41%
Onion(1kg)
$1.95$1.95
$2.70$2.70
-27.78%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.77$1.77
$2.41$2.41
-26.56%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.10$2.10
$2.62$2.62
-19.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.37$9.37
$15.02$15.02
-37.62%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.14$16.14
$14.71$14.71
9.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.26$2.26
$2.48$2.48
-8.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97$1.97
$3.69$3.69
-46.61%
๐ Getting Around
Eagan
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.34$3.34
$2.55$2.55
30.98%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$84.2$84.2
$75.5$75.5
11.52%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.63$4.63
$3.29$3.29
40.73%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.68$1.68
$1.43$1.43
17.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$23.85$23.85
$24.72$24.72
-3.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.92$0.92
$1.09$1.09
-15.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.1K$30.1K
$31.8K$31.8K
-5.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.0K$24.0K
$26.4K$26.4K
-9.17%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Eagan
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$164$164
$183$183
-10.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.6$52.6
$61.8$61.8
-14.99%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$67.5$67.5
$65.0$65.0
3.80%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Eagan
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$10.81$10.81
$76.1$76.1
-85.79%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.06$21.06
$13.04$13.04
61.50%
Cinema Ticket
$14.97$14.97
$14.75$14.75
1.49%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Eagan
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,582$1,582
$2,056$2,056
-23.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$26.7K$26.7K
$38.5K$38.5K
-30.68%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Eagan
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$38.68$38.68
$63.9$63.9
-39.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.73$18.73
$51.6$51.6
-63.69%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.6$76.6
$97.3$97.3
-21.24%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116$116
$147$147
-21.22%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Eagan
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,579$1,579
$2,349$2,349
-32.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$976$976
$1,581$1,581
-38.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,350$2,350
$4,708$4,708
-50.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,680$1,680
$2,716$2,716
-38.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,976$3,976
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,632$2,632
-
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Eagan
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,428$4,428
$4,723$4,723
-6.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.51
6.6
-1.36%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Eagan: April 22, 2026
Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $1,579 in Eagan versus $2,349 in Chicago, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
๐ฐSalaries run about 7% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $69 in Eagan versus $100 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $387 vs $447 โ making Eagan 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
Eagan vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Eagan and Chicago, IL compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,201 in Eagan, $3,051 in Chicago, IL โ roughly 39% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Eagan compared to Chicago, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,301 per month in Eagan and $4,577 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Eagan and Chicago, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Eagan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 15% 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.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Eagan and $100 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafรฉ pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is feasible on a $2,500 budget?
$2,500 is a stretch for both โ monthly costs hit $2,201 in Eagan and $3,051 in Chicago, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Eagan and Chicago, IL?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,201 in Eagan to $3,051 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Eagan and Chicago, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Eagan. 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.