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

🙂 Solo nomad: Manhattan, KS is 27.4% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 30.9% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Manhattan, KS is 32.4% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 37.6% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manhattan, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.38 $13.38
$20.82 $20.82
-35.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$57.2 $57.2
$100 $100
-42.99%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.93 $11.93
$11.97 $11.97
-0.33%
Cappuccino
$5.05 $5.05
$5.56 $5.56
-9.17%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02 $2.02
$3.11 $3.11
-35.05%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.53 $1.53
$2.42 $2.42
-36.78%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.1 $5.1
$6.86 $6.86
-25.66%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.94 $5.94
$8.45 $8.45
-29.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manhattan, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.79 $0.79
$1.04 $1.04
-24.04%
White Bread (500g)
$2.97 $2.97
$4.15 $4.15
-28.43%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.06 $5.06
$5.52 $5.52
-8.33%
Eggs
$4.39 $4.39
$4.65 $4.65
-5.59%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.84 $7.84
$14.33 $14.33
-45.29%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.69 $6.69
$14.88 $14.88
-55.04%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.18 $13.18
$19.34 $19.34
-31.85%
Apples (1kg)
$3.69 $3.69
$5.17 $5.17
-28.63%
Banana (1kg)
$1.1 $1.1
$1.71 $1.71
-35.67%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.8 $2.8
$4.41 $4.41
-36.51%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.13 $4.13
$4.51 $4.51
-8.43%
Potato (1kg)
$1.09 $1.09
$2.53 $2.53
-56.92%
Onion (1kg)
$1.81 $1.81
$2.74 $2.74
-33.94%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.66 $1.66
$2.43 $2.43
-31.69%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.22 $2.22
$2.7 $2.7
-17.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.13 $10.13
$15.19 $15.19
-33.31%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.23 $14.23
$16.42 $16.42
-13.34%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71 $1.71
$2.35 $2.35
-27.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.39 $3.39
$3.7 $3.7
-8.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Manhattan, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.73 $2.73
$2.53 $2.53
7.91%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$59.8 $59.8
$74.1 $74.1
-19.30%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$6.82 $6.82
$3.34 $3.34
104.19%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.4 $1.4
$1.42 $1.42
-1.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.41 $34.41
$25.42 $25.42
35.37%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.81 $0.81
$1.08 $1.08
-25.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.9K $30.9K
$32.4K $32.4K
-4.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9K $24.9K
$26.2K $26.2K
-5.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manhattan, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$112 $112
$188 $188
-40.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.3 $50.3
$63.7 $63.7
-21.11%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.2 $64.2
$65.2 $65.2
-1.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manhattan, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$75.1 $75.1
$76.7 $76.7
-2.16%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.95 $14.95
$14.93 $14.93
0.13%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manhattan, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$833 $833
$2,063 $2,063
-59.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.3K $11.3K
$39.2K $39.2K
-71.10%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manhattan, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.62 $48.62
$64.3 $64.3
-24.40%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.79 $34.79
$52.4 $52.4
-33.59%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.2 $86.2
$95.2 $95.2
-9.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$94.1 $94.1
$145 $145
-34.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manhattan, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$922 $922
$2,378 $2,378
-61.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,012 $1,012
$1,584 $1,584
-36.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,724 $1,724
$4,763 $4,763
-63.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,476 $1,476
$2,815 $2,815
-47.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,346 $1,346
$3,588 $3,588
-62.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,317 $1,317
$2,490 $2,490
-47.11%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manhattan, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,687 $3,687
$5,275 $5,275
-30.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.6
-2.27%

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

Last update for Manhattan, KS: October 28, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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