Last update: Oct 2026

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

For one person, living is cheaper in Monett, MO: $2,442 a month against $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $7,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Monett, MO, United States
Chicago, IL, United States
Monett, MO
🇺🇸 United States
$2,442
/mo nomad
Chicago, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$3,037
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Monett, MO and in Chicago, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Monett, MO and in Chicago, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,442 per month in Monett, MO vs $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

  • Monett, MO $2,442
  • Chicago, IL $3,037

A couple spends around $3,552 per month in Monett, MO vs $4,518 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

  • Monett, MO $3,552
  • Chicago, IL $4,518

A family of three spends $4,662 per month in Monett, MO vs $5,999 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

  • Monett, MO $4,662
  • Chicago, IL $5,999

Monett, MO is about 20% cheaper than Chicago, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Monett, MO and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Monett, MO by 79%, Chicago, IL by 123%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.12 $12.12
$20.71 $20.71
-41.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$81.0 $81.0
$89.2 $89.2
-9.28%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.78 $11.78
$13.19 $13.19
-10.69%
Cappuccino
$3.64 $3.64
$5.66 $5.66
-35.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.45 $2.45
$2.64 $2.64
-7.20%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 $1.97
$2.28 $2.28
-13.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.95 $3.95
$6.87 $6.87
-42.50%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.95 $4.95
$8.84 $8.84
-44.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.63 $0.63
$1.25 $1.25
-49.60%
White Bread (500g)
$2.69 $2.69
$3.72 $3.72
-27.69%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.15 $2.15
$5.39 $5.39
-60.11%
Eggs
$2.78 $2.78
$4.74 $4.74
-41.35%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.67 $3.67
$13.84 $13.84
-73.48%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.84 $9.84
$14.40 $14.40
-31.67%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.49 $13.49
$18.38 $18.38
-26.61%
Apples (1kg)
$4.32 $4.32
$5.22 $5.22
-17.24%
Banana (1kg)
$1.63 $1.63
$1.98 $1.98
-17.68%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.49 $4.49
$4.06 $4.06
10.59%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.78 $1.78
$4.97 $4.97
-64.19%
Potato (1kg)
$3.17 $3.17
$2.67 $2.67
18.73%
Onion (1kg)
$1.33 $1.33
$2.66 $2.66
-50.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.84 $1.84
$2.24 $2.24
-17.86%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.05 $2.05
$3.13 $3.13
-34.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.85 $6.85
$13.82 $13.82
-50.43%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.11 $15.11
$14.88 $14.88
1.55%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.93 $1.93
$2.54 $2.54
-24.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.92 $3.92
$3.51 $3.51
11.68%
🚌 Getting Around
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.75 $1.75
$2.43 $2.43
-27.98%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$61.4 $61.4
$73.5 $73.5
-16.52%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.51 $2.51
$3.18 $3.18
-21.07%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.22 $1.22
$1.39 $1.39
-12.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$59.4 $59.4
$25.03 $25.03
137.28%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.97 $0.97
$1.20 $1.20
-19.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.4K $34.4K
$35.0K $35.0K
-1.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$26.7K $26.7K
-1.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$200 $200
$194 $194
2.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$66.0 $66.0
$69.5 $69.5
-4.92%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.1 $72.1
$61.6 $61.6
16.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.21 $44.21
$47.90 $47.90
-7.70%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$27.34 $27.34
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.06 $15.06
$17.81 $17.81
-15.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,127 $1,127
$1,794 $1,794
-37.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.8K $20.8K
$31.9K $31.9K
-34.98%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.0 $61.0
$67.0 $67.0
-8.98%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.47 $42.47
$52.1 $52.1
-18.55%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$105 $105
$102 $102
3.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$148 $148
$144 $144
2.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,570 $1,570
$2,526 $2,526
-37.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,265 $1,265
$1,578 $1,578
-19.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,573 $2,573
$4,738 $4,738
-45.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$2,693 $2,693
-23.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,772 $2,772
$4,190 $4,190
-33.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,679 $2,679
$2,768 $2,768
-3.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Monett, MO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,052 $3,052
$4,931 $4,931
-38.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6
6.81
-11.89%

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

Last update for Monett, MO: October 27, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Monett, MO
$1.3K
Chicago, IL
$1.6K 24.7% $313
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Monett, MO
$338
Chicago, IL
$326 3.8% $13
Groceries & Markets
Monett, MO
$304
Chicago, IL
$447 47.4% $144
Eating Out
Monett, MO
$223
Chicago, IL
$345 54.5% $122
Clothing & Footwear
Monett, MO
$160
Chicago, IL
$164 2.3% $3.7
Getting Around
Monett, MO
$77
Chicago, IL
$93 21.4% $16
Sport & Entertainment
Monett, MO
$74
Chicago, IL
$84 12.4% $9.2

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,570 in Monett, MO versus $2,526 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 62% higher in Chicago, IL. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $81 in Monett, MO versus $89 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $304 vs $447 – making Monett, MO the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Monett, MO
🇺🇸 Chicago, IL
🕒 Local time
13:43 1:43 PM
13:43 1:43 PM
Same time as Monett, MO
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,000
2,746,388
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.898 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Monett, MO Chicago, IL 770 km ≈ 1 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Monett, MO
  • Chicago, IL

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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: $2,442 in Monett, MO, $3,037 in Chicago, IL – roughly 24% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Monett, MO compared to Chicago, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,663 per month in Monett, MO and $4,555 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: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,570 there versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 47% 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 has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $81 in Monett, MO and $89 in Chicago, 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 Monett, MO, where all-in costs run around $2,442, than in Chicago, IL at $3,037. In Monett, MO it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Monett, MO or Chicago, IL?
Families tend to lean toward Monett, MO – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
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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