Cost of Living Comparison Between Indianapolis, IN and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Indianapolis, IN and Chicago, IL

๐Ÿ™‚ Solo nomad: Indianapolis, IN is 8.5% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 11.2% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ™‚ Family of 3: Indianapolis, IN is 13.2% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 19.4% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Indianapolis, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.41 $25.41
$20.82 $20.82
22.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.2 $75.2
$100 $100
-25.07%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.08 $11.08
$11.97 $11.97
-7.44%
Cappuccino
$5.54 $5.54
$5.56 $5.56
-0.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81 $2.81
$3.11 $3.11
-9.65%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 $2.49
$2.42 $2.42
2.89%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.9 $5.9
$6.86 $6.86
-13.99%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.97 $7.97
$8.45 $8.45
-5.68%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Indianapolis, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.83 $0.83
$1.04 $1.04
-20.19%
White Bread (500g)
$3.02 $3.02
$4.15 $4.15
-27.23%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$5.52 $5.52
-6.34%
Eggs
$3.43 $3.43
$4.65 $4.65
-26.24%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.42 $9.42
$14.33 $14.33
-34.26%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.71 $10.71
$14.88 $14.88
-28.02%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.59 $14.59
$19.34 $19.34
-24.56%
Apples (1kg)
$5.07 $5.07
$5.17 $5.17
-1.93%
Banana (1kg)
$1.35 $1.35
$1.71 $1.71
-21.05%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.71 $5.71
$4.41 $4.41
29.48%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.07 $3.07
$4.51 $4.51
-31.93%
Potato (1kg)
$2.15 $2.15
$2.53 $2.53
-15.02%
Onion (1kg)
$2.7 $2.7
$2.74 $2.74
-1.46%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.77 $1.77
$2.43 $2.43
-27.16%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.07 $2.07
$2.7 $2.7
-23.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.37 $9.37
$15.19 $15.19
-38.31%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.21 $15.21
$16.42 $16.42
-7.37%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.72 $1.72
$2.35 $2.35
-26.81%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29 $2.29
$3.7 $3.7
-38.11%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Indianapolis, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.76 $1.76
$2.53 $2.53
-30.43%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$60.7 $60.7
$74.1 $74.1
-18.12%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.03 $2.03
$3.34 $3.34
-39.22%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.74 $1.74
$1.42 $1.42
22.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.62 $34.62
$25.42 $25.42
36.19%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.92 $0.92
$1.08 $1.08
-14.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.6K $33.6K
$32.4K $32.4K
3.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2K $25.2K
$26.2K $26.2K
-4.05%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Indianapolis, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$240 $240
$188 $188
27.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$64.7 $64.7
$63.7 $63.7
1.49%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.7 $72.7
$65.2 $65.2
11.49%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Indianapolis, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$34.96 $34.96
$76.7 $76.7
-54.43%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$31.66 $31.66
$13.03 $13.03
142.98%
Cinema Ticket
$14.67 $14.67
$14.93 $14.93
-1.74%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Indianapolis, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,752 $1,752
$2,063 $2,063
-15.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$27.9K $27.9K
$39.2K $39.2K
-28.91%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Indianapolis, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$47.26 $47.26
$64.3 $64.3
-26.51%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.53 $41.53
$52.4 $52.4
-20.73%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.4 $96.4
$95.2 $95.2
1.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 $131
$145 $145
-9.64%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Indianapolis, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,716 $1,716
$2,378 $2,378
-27.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,272 $1,272
$1,584 $1,584
-19.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,787 $2,787
$4,763 $4,763
-41.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,123 $2,123
$2,815 $2,815
-24.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,973 $1,973
$3,588 $3,588
-45.00%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,539 $1,539
$2,490 $2,490
-38.21%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Indianapolis, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,635 $4,635
$5,275 $5,275
-12.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.54
6.6
-0.91%

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

Last update for Indianapolis, IN: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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