Cost of Living Comparison Between Independence, KS and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Independence, KS and Chicago, IL

๐Ÿ™‚ Solo nomad: Independence, KS is 13.4% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 13% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ™‚ Family of 3: Independence, KS is 13.2% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 21.2% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Independence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.19 $19.19
$20.82 $20.82
-7.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.1 $76.1
$100 $100
-24.17%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.17 $11.17
$11.97 $11.97
-6.68%
Cappuccino
$5.22 $5.22
$5.56 $5.56
-6.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48 $2.48
$3.11 $3.11
-20.26%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 $2.06
$2.42 $2.42
-14.88%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.87 $5.87
$6.86 $6.86
-14.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.92 $6.92
$8.45 $8.45
-18.11%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Independence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.03 $1.03
$1.04 $1.04
-0.96%
White Bread (500g)
$3.48 $3.48
$4.15 $4.15
-16.14%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.43 $4.43
$5.52 $5.52
-19.75%
Eggs
$4.17 $4.17
$4.65 $4.65
-10.32%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.42 $12.42
$14.33 $14.33
-13.33%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.71 $11.71
$14.88 $14.88
-21.30%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.52 $15.52
$19.34 $19.34
-19.75%
Apples (1kg)
$5.03 $5.03
$5.17 $5.17
-2.71%
Banana (1kg)
$1.63 $1.63
$1.71 $1.71
-4.68%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.15 $4.15
$4.41 $4.41
-5.90%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.85 $4.85
$4.51 $4.51
7.54%
Potato (1kg)
$2.91 $2.91
$2.53 $2.53
15.02%
Onion (1kg)
$2.78 $2.78
$2.74 $2.74
1.46%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.1 $2.1
$2.43 $2.43
-13.58%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.11 $2.11
$2.7 $2.7
-21.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.77 $9.77
$15.19 $15.19
-35.68%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.27 $14.27
$16.42 $16.42
-13.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.85 $1.85
$2.35 $2.35
-21.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.32 $3.32
$3.7 $3.7
-10.27%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Independence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.53 $2.53
-20.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.1 $74.1
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.53 $3.53
$3.34 $3.34
5.69%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.58 $1.58
$1.42 $1.42
11.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.63 $29.63
$25.42 $25.42
16.56%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.91 $0.91
$1.08 $1.08
-15.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8K $29.8K
$32.4K $32.4K
-8.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$26.2K $26.2K
-2.87%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Independence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$185 $185
$188 $188
-1.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$53.5 $53.5
$63.7 $63.7
-16.08%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.4 $68.4
$65.2 $65.2
4.92%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Independence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.46 $42.46
$76.7 $76.7
-44.66%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.56 $13.56
$14.93 $14.93
-9.18%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Independence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,286 $1,286
$2,063 $2,063
-37.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.4K $23.4K
$39.2K $39.2K
-40.20%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Independence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.2 $50.2
$64.3 $64.3
-22.02%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.57 $40.57
$52.4 $52.4
-22.56%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.3 $86.3
$95.2 $95.2
-9.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 $111
$145 $145
-23.45%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Independence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,618 $1,618
$2,378 $2,378
-31.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,328 $1,328
$1,584 $1,584
-16.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,607 $2,607
$4,763 $4,763
-45.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,251 $2,251
$2,815 $2,815
-20.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,685 $2,685
$3,588 $3,588
-25.16%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,280 $2,280
$2,490 $2,490
-8.45%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Independence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,399 $5,399
$5,275 $5,275
2.35%
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 Independence, KS: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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