Cost of Living Comparison Between Helena, MT and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Helena, MT and Chicago, IL

😐 Solo nomad: Helena, MT is 13% more expensive than Chicago, IL without rent, and 1.3% more expensive with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Helena, MT is 13.8% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 7.1% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Helena, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.76 $19.76
$20.82 $20.82
-5.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$89.3 $89.3
$100 $100
-10.98%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.42 $13.42
$11.97 $11.97
12.11%
Cappuccino
$5.16 $5.16
$5.56 $5.56
-7.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28 $2.28
$3.11 $3.11
-26.69%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 $1.72
$2.42 $2.42
-28.93%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.85 $4.85
$6.86 $6.86
-29.30%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.59 $6.59
$8.45 $8.45
-22.01%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Helena, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.18 $1.18
$1.04 $1.04
13.46%
White Bread (500g)
$4.45 $4.45
$4.15 $4.15
7.23%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.64 $3.64
$5.52 $5.52
-34.06%
Eggs
$4.3 $4.3
$4.65 $4.65
-7.53%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$31.15 $31.15
$14.33 $14.33
117.38%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.59 $9.59
$14.88 $14.88
-35.55%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.71 $19.71
$19.34 $19.34
1.91%
Apples (1kg)
$4.7 $4.7
$5.17 $5.17
-9.09%
Banana (1kg)
$1.75 $1.75
$1.71 $1.71
2.34%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.63 $4.63
$4.41 $4.41
4.99%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.54 $5.54
$4.51 $4.51
22.84%
Potato (1kg)
$2.14 $2.14
$2.53 $2.53
-15.42%
Onion (1kg)
$1.88 $1.88
$2.74 $2.74
-31.39%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.72 $1.72
$2.43 $2.43
-29.22%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.24 $2.24
$2.7 $2.7
-17.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.99 $9.99
$15.19 $15.19
-34.23%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.09 $13.09
$16.42 $16.42
-20.28%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71 $1.71
$2.35 $2.35
-27.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59 $2.59
$3.7 $3.7
-30.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Helena, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.41 $3.41
$2.53 $2.53
34.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$59.1 $59.1
$74.1 $74.1
-20.28%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$9.91 $9.91
$3.34 $3.34
196.71%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.45 $3.45
$1.42 $1.42
142.96%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$45.6 $45.6
$25.42 $25.42
79.39%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.84 $0.84
$1.08 $1.08
-22.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.2K $36.2K
$32.4K $32.4K
11.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.8K $30.8K
$26.2K $26.2K
17.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Helena, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$366 $366
$188 $188
94.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$76.6 $76.6
$63.7 $63.7
20.22%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$91.7 $91.7
$65.2 $65.2
40.60%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Helena, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.87 $49.87
$76.7 $76.7
-35.00%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.92 $14.92
$13.03 $13.03
14.50%
Cinema Ticket
$10.62 $10.62
$14.93 $14.93
-28.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Helena, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,924 $1,924
$2,063 $2,063
-6.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.7K $22.7K
$39.2K $39.2K
-42.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Helena, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7 $59.7
$64.3 $64.3
-7.22%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$119 $119
$52.4 $52.4
128.06%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.8 $88.8
$95.2 $95.2
-6.77%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$145 $145
-20.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Helena, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,644 $1,644
$2,378 $2,378
-30.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,404 $1,404
$1,584 $1,584
-11.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,615 $2,615
$4,763 $4,763
-45.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,209 $2,209
$2,815 $2,815
-21.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,798 $6,798
$3,588 $3,588
89.48%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,638 $5,638
$2,490 $2,490
126.41%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Helena, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,879 $6,879
$5,275 $5,275
30.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.71
6.6
1.67%

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

Last update for Helena, MT: October 28, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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