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

😐 Solo nomad: Stillwater, MN is 7.6% more expensive than Chicago, IL without rent, and 1.3% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Stillwater, MN is 10.9% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 15.8% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Stillwater, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.32 $18.32
$20.82 $20.82
-12.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.1 $80.1
$100 $100
-20.20%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.08 $12.08
$11.97 $11.97
0.92%
Cappuccino
$5.79 $5.79
$5.56 $5.56
4.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02 $2.02
$3.11 $3.11
-35.05%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24 $2.24
$2.42 $2.42
-7.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.19 $6.19
$6.86 $6.86
-9.77%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.03 $7.03
$8.45 $8.45
-16.80%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Stillwater, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.91 $0.91
$1.04 $1.04
-12.50%
White Bread (500g)
$3.63 $3.63
$4.15 $4.15
-12.53%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.5 $5.5
$5.52 $5.52
-0.36%
Eggs
$3.65 $3.65
$4.65 $4.65
-21.51%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.4 $11.4
$14.33 $14.33
-20.45%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.43 $14.43
$14.88 $14.88
-3.02%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.77 $16.77
$19.34 $19.34
-13.29%
Apples (1kg)
$6.51 $6.51
$5.17 $5.17
25.92%
Banana (1kg)
$1.86 $1.86
$1.71 $1.71
8.77%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.85 $6.85
$4.41 $4.41
55.33%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.44 $5.44
$4.51 $4.51
20.62%
Potato (1kg)
$3.02 $3.02
$2.53 $2.53
19.37%
Onion (1kg)
$3.77 $3.77
$2.74 $2.74
37.59%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.49 $2.49
$2.43 $2.43
2.47%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.33 $2.33
$2.7 $2.7
-13.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.71 $7.71
$15.19 $15.19
-49.24%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.08 $16.08
$16.42 $16.42
-2.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.15 $2.15
$2.35 $2.35
-8.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.9 $4.9
$3.7 $3.7
32.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Stillwater, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.03 $2.03
$2.53 $2.53
-19.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$81.7 $81.7
$74.1 $74.1
10.18%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.72 $4.72
$3.34 $3.34
41.32%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.67 $1.67
$1.42 $1.42
17.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$23.61 $23.61
$25.42 $25.42
-7.12%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.87 $0.87
$1.08 $1.08
-19.44%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.6K $30.6K
$32.4K $32.4K
-5.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22K $22K
$26.2K $26.2K
-16.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Stillwater, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$132 $132
$188 $188
-29.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.3 $52.3
$63.7 $63.7
-17.85%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.2 $69.2
$65.2 $65.2
6.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Stillwater, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$111 $111
$76.7 $76.7
45.15%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.73 $14.73
$14.93 $14.93
-1.34%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Stillwater, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,610 $1,610
$2,063 $2,063
-21.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$26.8K $26.8K
$39.2K $39.2K
-31.65%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Stillwater, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.6 $61.6
$64.3 $64.3
-4.18%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.21 $44.21
$52.4 $52.4
-15.61%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88 $88
$95.2 $95.2
-7.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$49.05 $49.05
$145 $145
-66.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Stillwater, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,460 $1,460
$2,378 $2,378
-38.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,608 $1,608
$1,584 $1,584
1.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,162 $2,162
$4,763 $4,763
-54.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,260 $2,260
$2,815 $2,815
-19.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,009 $3,009
$3,588 $3,588
-16.14%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,890 $2,890
$2,490 $2,490
16.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Stillwater, MN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,891 $5,891
$5,275 $5,275
11.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
6.6
-1.36%

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

Last update for Stillwater, MN: October 28, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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