Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Kodiak, AK and Chicago, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Kodiak, AK: $2,610 a month against $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $5,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Kodiak, AK, United States
Chicago, IL, United States
Kodiak, AK
🇺🇸 United States
$2,610
/mo nomad
Chicago, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$3,037
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Kodiak, AK and in Chicago, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Kodiak, AK and in Chicago, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,610 per month in Kodiak, AK vs $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

  • Kodiak, AK $2,610
  • Chicago, IL $3,037

A couple spends around $3,794 per month in Kodiak, AK vs $4,518 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

  • Kodiak, AK $3,794
  • Chicago, IL $4,518

A family of three spends $4,978 per month in Kodiak, AK vs $5,999 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

  • Kodiak, AK $4,978
  • Chicago, IL $5,999

Kodiak, AK is about 14% cheaper than Chicago, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Kodiak, AK and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Kodiak, AK by 92%, Chicago, IL by 123%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kodiak, AK
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.33 $20.33
$20.71 $20.71
-1.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.0 $74.0
$89.2 $89.2
-17.03%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.47 $11.47
$13.19 $13.19
-13.04%
Cappuccino
$5.23 $5.23
$5.66 $5.66
-7.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.69 $2.69
$2.64 $2.64
1.89%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 $2.05
$2.28 $2.28
-10.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.96 $5.96
$6.87 $6.87
-13.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.12 $7.12
$8.84 $8.84
-19.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kodiak, AK
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.89 $0.89
$1.25 $1.25
-28.80%
White Bread (500g)
$3.58 $3.58
$3.72 $3.72
-3.76%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.42 $4.42
$5.39 $5.39
-18.00%
Eggs
$4.12 $4.12
$4.74 $4.74
-13.08%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.37 $12.37
$13.84 $13.84
-10.62%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.76 $11.76
$14.40 $14.40
-18.33%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.14 $17.14
$18.38 $18.38
-6.75%
Apples (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$5.22 $5.22
-6.51%
Banana (1kg)
$1.62 $1.62
$1.98 $1.98
-18.18%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.09 $4.09
$4.06 $4.06
0.74%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.28 $5.28
$4.97 $4.97
6.24%
Potato (1kg)
$2.77 $2.77
$2.67 $2.67
3.75%
Onion (1kg)
$3.04 $3.04
$2.66 $2.66
14.29%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.18 $2.18
$2.24 $2.24
-2.68%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.49 $2.49
$3.13 $3.13
-20.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.62 $9.62
$13.82 $13.82
-30.39%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.03 $15.03
$14.88 $14.88
1.01%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09 $2.09
$2.54 $2.54
-17.72%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23 $3.23
$3.51 $3.51
-7.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Kodiak, AK
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.83 $1.83
$2.43 $2.43
-24.69%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$67.9 $67.9
$73.5 $73.5
-7.60%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.84 $2.84
$3.18 $3.18
-10.69%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.86 $1.86
$1.39 $1.39
33.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$31.53 $31.53
$25.03 $25.03
25.97%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.03 $1.03
$1.20 $1.20
-14.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.7K $28.7K
$35.0K $35.0K
-18.16%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.1K $28.1K
$26.7K $26.7K
5.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kodiak, AK
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$203 $203
$194 $194
4.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.2 $57.2
$69.5 $69.5
-17.65%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.0 $71.0
$61.6 $61.6
15.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kodiak, AK
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.49 $39.49
$47.90 $47.90
-17.56%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$27.34 $27.34
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.20 $14.20
$17.81 $17.81
-20.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kodiak, AK
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,494 $1,494
$1,794 $1,794
-16.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.5K $23.5K
$31.9K $31.9K
-26.51%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kodiak, AK
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.6 $53.6
$67.0 $67.0
-20.10%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.21 $41.21
$52.1 $52.1
-20.96%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$82.2 $82.2
$102 $102
-19.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115 $115
$144 $144
-19.90%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kodiak, AK
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,587 $1,587
$2,526 $2,526
-37.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,266 $1,266
$1,578 $1,578
-19.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,250 $2,250
$4,738 $4,738
-52.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,039 $2,039
$2,693 $2,693
-24.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,808 $2,808
$4,190 $4,190
-32.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,286 $2,286
$2,768 $2,768
-17.41%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kodiak, AK
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,575 $3,575
$4,931 $4,931
-27.50%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.57
6.81
-3.52%

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

Last update for Kodiak, AK: October 24, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Kodiak, AK
$1.3K
Chicago, IL
$1.6K 24.6% $312
Groceries & Markets
Kodiak, AK
$403
Chicago, IL
$447 11% $44
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kodiak, AK
$331
Chicago, IL
$326 1.7% $5.5
Eating Out
Kodiak, AK
$323
Chicago, IL
$345 6.9% $22
Clothing & Footwear
Kodiak, AK
$131
Chicago, IL
$164 24.8% $33
Getting Around
Kodiak, AK
$87
Chicago, IL
$93 6.9% $6
Sport & Entertainment
Kodiak, AK
$68
Chicago, IL
$84 23% $16

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,587 in Kodiak, AK versus $2,526 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.

Salaries run about 38% higher in Chicago, IL. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $74 in Kodiak, AK versus $89 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $403 vs $447 – making Kodiak, AK the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Kodiak, AK
🇺🇸 Chicago, IL
🕒 Local time
10:42 10:42 AM
13:42 1:42 PM
3 h ahead of Kodiak, AK
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
6,000
2,746,388
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.898 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Kodiak, AK Chicago, IL 4,760 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Kodiak, AK
  • Chicago, IL

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Kodiak, AK vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Kodiak, AK and in Chicago, IL compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,610 in Kodiak, AK, $3,037 in Chicago, IL – roughly 16% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Kodiak, AK compared to Chicago, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,915 per month in Kodiak, AK and $4,555 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Kodiak, AK and Chicago, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kodiak, AK, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,587 there versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 11% 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 $74 in Kodiak, AK and $89 in Chicago, IL. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is feasible on a $2,500 budget?
$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,610 in Kodiak, AK and $3,037 in Chicago, IL. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Where should families live: Kodiak, AK or Chicago, IL?
Families tend to lean toward Kodiak, AK – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How do I decide between Kodiak, AK and Chicago, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Kodiak, AK. 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.

Kodiak, AK vs other spots: cost of living compared

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