😐A single person spends $2,054 per month in Ljubljana vs $2,014 in Champaign, IL, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,008 per month in Ljubljana vs $2,686 in Champaign, IL, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,962 per month in Ljubljana vs $3,358 in Champaign, IL, rent included.
😐Ljubljana costs about 2% more than Champaign, IL, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both Ljubljana and Champaign, IL sit above the global median – Ljubljana by 54%, Champaign, IL by 51%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ljubljana
Champaign, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.24€15.10
$15.09$15.09
14.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.5€60.9
$49.52$49.52
40.31%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.45€8.28
$10.99$10.99
-14.01%
Cappuccino
$2.58€2.26
$4.35$4.35
-40.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04€2.66
$2.18$2.18
39.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98€1.73
$1.46$1.46
35.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.85€3.37
$5.54$5.54
-30.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.60€4.03
$5.98$5.98
-23.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ljubljana
Champaign, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.48€1.30
$0.74$0.74
100.00%
White Bread(500g)
$2.17€1.90
$2.64$2.64
-17.80%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.88€2.52
$2.70$2.70
6.67%
Eggs
$3.87€3.39
$2.76$2.76
40.22%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.38€11.72
$11.25$11.25
18.93%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.70€9.37
$6.28$6.28
70.38%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.75€11.17
$13.28$13.28
-3.99%
Apples(1kg)
$2.02€1.77
$3.26$3.26
-38.04%
Banana(1kg)
$1.76€1.55
$1.56$1.56
12.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.16€1.89
$3.46$3.46
-37.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.54€3.10
$4.06$4.06
-12.81%
Potato(1kg)
$1.37€1.20
$2.33$2.33
-41.20%
Onion(1kg)
$1.62€1.42
$2.37$2.37
-31.65%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.71€1.50
$2.36$2.36
-27.54%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.99€0.86
$1.52$1.52
-34.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.98€5.23
$7.43$7.43
-19.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.39€7.35
$14.74$14.74
-43.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.45€1.27
$2.06$2.06
-29.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03€1.77
$3.82$3.82
-46.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Ljubljana
Champaign, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.46€1.28
$1.01$1.01
44.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$42.25€37.01
$20.28$20.28
108.33%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.24€1.96
$3.40$3.40
-34.12%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.17€1.02
$1.58$1.58
-25.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$19.99€17.51
$39.24$39.24
-49.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.74€1.52
$0.79$0.79
120.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.9K€25.3K
$32.3K$32.3K
-10.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.9K€25.3K
$23.1K$23.1K
24.96%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ljubljana
Champaign, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$279€244
$221$221
26.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.60€16.29
$41.25$41.25
-54.91%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.84€33.14
$62.1$62.1
-39.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ljubljana
Champaign, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.8€46.20
$39.20$39.20
34.59%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.04€15.80
$10.11$10.11
78.44%
Cinema Ticket
$9.12€7.99
$12.24$12.24
-25.49%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ljubljana
Champaign, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$541€474
$1,178$1,178
-54.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.2K€12.4K
$23.8K$23.8K
-40.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ljubljana
Champaign, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$100.0€87.5
$45.08$45.08
121.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.21€40.47
$40.92$40.92
12.93%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104€91.1
$90.9$90.9
14.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$139€121
$122$122
13.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ljubljana
Champaign, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,002€878
$944$944
6.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$851€745
$884$884
-3.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,070€1,813
$1,840$1,840
12.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,469€1,286
$1,080$1,080
36.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,373€5,581
$1,724$1,724
269.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,903€4,294
$1,687$1,687
190.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ljubljana
Champaign, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,018€1,767
$3,690$3,690
-45.31%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.84
6.49
-40.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ljubljana: July 12, 2026
Last update for Champaign, IL: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,002 in Ljubljana versus $944 in Champaign, 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 83% higher in Champaign, IL, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Ljubljana versus $50.0 in Champaign, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $297 in Ljubljana vs $307 in Champaign, IL – so Ljubljana wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Ljubljana vs Champaign, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Ljubljana and in Champaign, IL compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,054 in Ljubljana, $2,014 in Champaign, IL – roughly 2% apart. Ljubljana costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Ljubljana compared to Champaign, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,081 per month in Ljubljana and $3,021 in Champaign, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Ljubljana and Champaign, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Champaign, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in Ljubljana – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Ljubljana and $50.0 in Champaign, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Champaign, IL, where all-in costs run around $2,014, than in Ljubljana at $2,054. In Champaign, IL it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ljubljana it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Ljubljana and Champaign, IL?
It depends on your priorities. Ljubljana has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,014 in Champaign, IL to $2,054 in Ljubljana. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Ljubljana or Champaign, IL safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Ljubljana and Champaign, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Champaign, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ljubljana makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.