Cost of Living Comparison Between Mankato, MN and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Mankato, MN and Chicago, IL

🙂 Solo nomad: Mankato, MN is 28.1% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 32.4% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Mankato, MN is 31.6% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 33.8% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mankato, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.19 $16.19
$20.82 $20.82
-22.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70 $70
$100 $100
-30.22%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.89 $9.89
$11.97 $11.97
-17.38%
Cappuccino
$4.85 $4.85
$5.56 $5.56
-12.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15 $2.15
$3.11 $3.11
-30.87%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65 $1.65
$2.42 $2.42
-31.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.04 $5.04
$6.86 $6.86
-26.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.9 $5.9
$8.45 $8.45
-30.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mankato, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.92 $0.92
$1.04 $1.04
-11.54%
White Bread (500g)
$2.47 $2.47
$4.15 $4.15
-40.48%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.24 $2.24
$5.52 $5.52
-59.42%
Eggs
$3.36 $3.36
$4.65 $4.65
-27.74%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.5 $8.5
$14.33 $14.33
-40.68%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.74 $14.74
$14.88 $14.88
-0.94%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.01 $17.01
$19.34 $19.34
-12.05%
Apples (1kg)
$4.33 $4.33
$5.17 $5.17
-16.25%
Banana (1kg)
$1.62 $1.62
$1.71 $1.71
-5.26%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.71 $3.71
$4.41 $4.41
-15.87%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.55 $3.55
$4.51 $4.51
-21.29%
Potato (1kg)
$4.23 $4.23
$2.53 $2.53
67.19%
Onion (1kg)
$3.05 $3.05
$2.74 $2.74
11.31%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.26 $2.26
$2.43 $2.43
-7.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.05 $2.05
$2.7 $2.7
-24.07%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.21 $12.21
$15.19 $15.19
-19.62%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.11 $14.11
$16.42 $16.42
-14.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68 $1.68
$2.35 $2.35
-28.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.36 $4.36
$3.7 $3.7
17.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Mankato, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.04 $2.04
$2.53 $2.53
-19.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.1 $74.1
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.02 $2.02
$3.34 $3.34
-39.52%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.42 $1.42
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$19.74 $19.74
$25.42 $25.42
-22.34%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.84 $0.84
$1.08 $1.08
-22.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.5K $26.5K
$32.4K $32.4K
-18.41%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9K $24.9K
$26.2K $26.2K
-5.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mankato, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$132 $132
$188 $188
-30.08%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.8 $50.8
$63.7 $63.7
-20.24%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75 $75
$65.2 $65.2
15.03%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mankato, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$40.35 $40.35
$76.7 $76.7
-47.41%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.04 $15.04
$14.93 $14.93
0.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mankato, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,347 $1,347
$2,063 $2,063
-34.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12K $12K
$39.2K $39.2K
-69.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mankato, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.2 $62.2
$64.3 $64.3
-3.36%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.9 $35.9
$52.4 $52.4
-31.48%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$73.5 $73.5
$95.2 $95.2
-22.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$142 $142
$145 $145
-1.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mankato, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,002 $1,002
$2,378 $2,378
-57.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$888 $888
$1,584 $1,584
-43.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,677 $2,677
$4,763 $4,763
-43.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,517 $1,517
$2,815 $2,815
-46.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,592 $1,592
$3,588 $3,588
-55.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,612 $1,612
$2,490 $2,490
-35.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mankato, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,893 $3,893
$5,275 $5,275
-26.19%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.61
6.6
0.15%

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

Last update for Mankato, MN: October 28, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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