Cost of Living Comparison Between Monett, MO and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Monett, MO and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,444 per month in Monett, MO vs $3,009 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,547 per month in Monett, MO vs $4,576 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,650 per month in Monett, MO vs $6,143 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Monett, MO is about 19% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Monett, MO and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Monett, MO by 84%, Chicago, IL by 126%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.86 $11.86
$20.27 $20.27
-41.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$81.2 $81.2
$101 $101
-19.41%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.17 $12.17
$12.04 $12.04
1.08%
Cappuccino
$3.80 $3.80
$5.76 $5.76
-34.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37 $2.37
$2.97 $2.97
-20.20%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 $1.86
$2.38 $2.38
-21.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.05 $4.05
$7.20 $7.20
-43.75%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.05 $5.05
$8.05 $8.05
-37.27%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.69 $0.69
$1.09 $1.09
-36.70%
White Bread (500g)
$2.74 $2.74
$4.12 $4.12
-33.50%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.12 $2.12
$5.29 $5.29
-59.92%
Eggs
$2.77 $2.77
$4.56 $4.56
-39.25%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.80 $3.80
$14.45 $14.45
-73.70%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.55 $10.55
$14.79 $14.79
-28.67%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.14 $13.14
$19.56 $19.56
-32.82%
Apples (1kg)
$4.38 $4.38
$5.42 $5.42
-19.19%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.71 $1.71
-11.11%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.63 $6.63
$4.18 $4.18
58.61%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.87 $1.87
$4.59 $4.59
-59.26%
Potato (1kg)
$3.50 $3.50
$2.48 $2.48
41.13%
Onion (1kg)
$1.34 $1.34
$2.72 $2.72
-50.74%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.82 $1.82
$2.47 $2.47
-26.32%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.05 $2.05
$2.72 $2.72
-24.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.77 $6.77
$14.78 $14.78
-54.19%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.15 $15.15
$15.30 $15.30
-0.98%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.99 $1.99
$2.35 $2.35
-15.32%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.97 $4.97
$3.74 $3.74
32.89%
🚌 Getting Around
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.98 $1.98
$2.47 $2.47
-19.84%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.0 $74.0
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.46 $2.46
$3.32 $3.32
-25.90%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.22 $2.22
$1.37 $1.37
62.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.22 $21.22
$24.65 $24.65
-13.91%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.78 $0.78
$1.05 $1.05
-25.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.0K $36.0K
$32.4K $32.4K
11.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$26.1K $26.1K
-0.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$222 $222
$186 $186
19.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.4 $61.4
$62.6 $62.6
-1.96%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.3 $54.3
$67.5 $67.5
-19.48%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.59 $43.59
$75.2 $75.2
-42.04%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.38 $13.38
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.30 $15.30
$15.10 $15.10
1.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,378 $1,378
$2,023 $2,023
-31.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$28.8K $28.8K
$39.9K $39.9K
-27.71%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.1 $53.1
$64.2 $64.2
-17.31%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.28 $41.28
$51.2 $51.2
-19.34%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$106 $106
$96.2 $96.2
10.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$124 $124
$147 $147
-15.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,573 $1,573
$2,329 $2,329
-32.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,361 $1,361
$1,570 $1,570
-13.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,663 $2,663
$4,677 $4,677
-43.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,186 $2,186
$2,810 $2,810
-22.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,118 $3,118
$4,082 $4,082
-23.62%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,126 $2,126
$2,645 $2,645
-19.59%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,024 $3,024
$4,883 $4,883
-38.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6
6.6
-9.09%

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

Last update for Monett, MO: July 25, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,573 in Monett, MO versus $2,329 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 61% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in Monett, MO versus $101 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $320 vs $450 – making Monett, MO the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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
Monett, MO vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Monett, MO and in Chicago, IL compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,444 in Monett, MO, $3,009 in Chicago, IL – roughly 23% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Monett, MO compared to Chicago, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,666 per month in Monett, MO and $4,513 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Monett, MO and Chicago, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Monett, MO, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in Monett, MO and $101 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 41% 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 is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Monett, MO, where all-in costs run around $2,444, than in Chicago, IL at $3,009. In Monett, MO it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Monett, MO and Chicago, IL?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,444 in Monett, MO to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Monett, MO and Chicago, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Monett, MO. 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.

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