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

๐Ÿ™‚ Solo nomad: Lawrence, KS is 31.8% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 29.6% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ™‚ Family of 3: Lawrence, KS is 23.4% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 25.8% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Lawrence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.12 $15.12
$20.82 $20.82
-27.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.3 $74.3
$100 $100
-25.97%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.84 $9.84
$11.97 $11.97
-17.79%
Cappuccino
$5.14 $5.14
$5.56 $5.56
-7.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99 $2.99
$3.11 $3.11
-3.86%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 $1.94
$2.42 $2.42
-19.83%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.15 $5.15
$6.86 $6.86
-24.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.01 $7.01
$8.45 $8.45
-17.04%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Lawrence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.81 $0.81
$1.04 $1.04
-22.12%
White Bread (500g)
$2.6 $2.6
$4.15 $4.15
-37.35%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.43 $4.43
$5.52 $5.52
-19.75%
Eggs
$3.43 $3.43
$4.65 $4.65
-26.24%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.45 $11.45
$14.33 $14.33
-20.10%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.74 $10.74
$14.88 $14.88
-27.82%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.67 $15.67
$19.34 $19.34
-18.98%
Apples (1kg)
$6.2 $6.2
$5.17 $5.17
19.92%
Banana (1kg)
$2.22 $2.22
$1.71 $1.71
29.82%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.81 $4.81
$4.41 $4.41
9.07%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.83 $3.83
$4.51 $4.51
-15.08%
Potato (1kg)
$1.86 $1.86
$2.53 $2.53
-26.48%
Onion (1kg)
$2.85 $2.85
$2.74 $2.74
4.01%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.47 $1.47
$2.43 $2.43
-39.51%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.49 $2.49
$2.7 $2.7
-7.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.99 $7.99
$15.19 $15.19
-47.40%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.19 $14.19
$16.42 $16.42
-13.58%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.79 $1.79
$2.35 $2.35
-23.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57 $1.57
$3.7 $3.7
-57.57%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Lawrence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.51 $0.51
$2.53 $2.53
-79.84%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$24.94 $24.94
$74.1 $74.1
-66.36%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.01 $3.01
$3.34 $3.34
-9.88%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.41 $1.41
$1.42 $1.42
-0.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.1 $25.1
$25.42 $25.42
-1.26%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.82 $0.82
$1.08 $1.08
-24.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.6K $35.6K
$32.4K $32.4K
9.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$26.2K $26.2K
-0.09%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lawrence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$329 $329
$188 $188
74.98%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$53.5 $53.5
$63.7 $63.7
-15.95%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.4 $64.4
$65.2 $65.2
-1.27%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Lawrence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.78 $44.78
$76.7 $76.7
-41.63%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.87 $11.87
$13.03 $13.03
-8.90%
Cinema Ticket
$11.99 $11.99
$14.93 $14.93
-19.69%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Lawrence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$930 $930
$2,063 $2,063
-54.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$24.4K $24.4K
$39.2K $39.2K
-37.63%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Lawrence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.7 $53.7
$64.3 $64.3
-16.54%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.7 $34.7
$52.4 $52.4
-33.77%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.1 $96.1
$95.2 $95.2
0.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91 $91
$145 $145
-37.12%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Lawrence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$943 $943
$2,378 $2,378
-60.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$785 $785
$1,584 $1,584
-50.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,566 $1,566
$4,763 $4,763
-67.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,771 $1,771
$2,815 $2,815
-37.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,461 $2,461
$3,588 $3,588
-31.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,102 $2,102
$2,490 $2,490
-15.58%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Lawrence, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,886 $3,886
$5,275 $5,275
-26.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.6
-2.27%

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

Last update for Lawrence, KS: October 28, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

Join the CityCost newsletter โ€“ low traffic, no spam, and easy to unsubscribe. Your email stays private.