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

๐Ÿ™‚ Solo nomad: Independence, MO is 25.2% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 29.7% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ™‚ Family of 3: Independence, MO is 17.1% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 35% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Independence, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.14 $20.14
$20.82 $20.82
-3.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.1 $75.1
$100 $100
-25.18%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.44 $11.44
$11.97 $11.97
-4.43%
Cappuccino
$4.93 $4.93
$5.56 $5.56
-11.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.08 $3.08
$3.11 $3.11
-0.96%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 $1.94
$2.42 $2.42
-19.83%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.98 $5.98
$6.86 $6.86
-12.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.08 $7.08
$8.45 $8.45
-16.21%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Independence, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.19 $1.19
$1.04 $1.04
14.42%
White Bread (500g)
$3.42 $3.42
$4.15 $4.15
-17.59%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.49 $4.49
$5.52 $5.52
-18.66%
Eggs
$3.72 $3.72
$4.65 $4.65
-20.00%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.64 $11.64
$14.33 $14.33
-18.77%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.66 $10.66
$14.88 $14.88
-28.36%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.81 $12.81
$19.34 $19.34
-33.76%
Apples (1kg)
$4.48 $4.48
$5.17 $5.17
-13.35%
Banana (1kg)
$1.45 $1.45
$1.71 $1.71
-15.20%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.92 $5.92
$4.41 $4.41
34.24%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.57 $6.57
$4.51 $4.51
45.68%
Potato (1kg)
$2.5 $2.5
$2.53 $2.53
-1.19%
Onion (1kg)
$3.63 $3.63
$2.74 $2.74
32.48%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.03 $2.03
$2.43 $2.43
-16.46%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.46 $2.46
$2.7 $2.7
-8.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.68 $8.68
$15.19 $15.19
-42.86%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.85 $13.85
$16.42 $16.42
-15.65%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73 $1.73
$2.35 $2.35
-26.38%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.46 $4.46
$3.7 $3.7
20.54%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Independence, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.99 $1.99
$2.53 $2.53
-21.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.1 $74.1
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.9 $2.9
$3.34 $3.34
-13.17%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.42 $1.42
7.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.11 $21.11
$25.42 $25.42
-16.96%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.76 $0.76
$1.08 $1.08
-29.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.4K $34.4K
$32.4K $32.4K
6.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6K $26.6K
$26.2K $26.2K
1.48%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Independence, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$252 $252
$188 $188
33.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.2 $52.2
$63.7 $63.7
-18.05%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.3 $66.3
$65.2 $65.2
1.69%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Independence, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.81 $42.81
$76.7 $76.7
-44.20%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.97 $13.97
$14.93 $14.93
-6.43%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Independence, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$911 $911
$2,063 $2,063
-55.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$24.6K $24.6K
$39.2K $39.2K
-37.09%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Independence, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.8 $53.8
$64.3 $64.3
-16.36%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.34 $38.34
$52.4 $52.4
-26.82%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.8 $94.8
$95.2 $95.2
-0.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 $113
$145 $145
-21.66%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Independence, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$996 $996
$2,378 $2,378
-58.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$837 $837
$1,584 $1,584
-47.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,366 $2,366
$4,763 $4,763
-50.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,284 $1,284
$2,815 $2,815
-54.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,510 $1,510
$3,588 $3,588
-57.92%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,283 $2,283
$2,490 $2,490
-8.33%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Independence, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,422 $3,422
$5,275 $5,275
-35.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.5
6.6
-1.52%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Independence, MO: October 27, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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