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

๐Ÿ™‚ Solo nomad: Topeka, KS is 26.8% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 37.4% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ™‚ Family of 3: Topeka, KS is 27% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 34.1% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Topeka, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.65 $13.65
$20.82 $20.82
-34.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.5 $53.5
$100 $100
-46.73%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.19 $10.19
$11.97 $11.97
-14.87%
Cappuccino
$3.52 $3.52
$5.56 $5.56
-36.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 $2.17
$3.11 $3.11
-30.23%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.53 $1.53
$2.42 $2.42
-36.78%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.09 $5.09
$6.86 $6.86
-25.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.93 $5.93
$8.45 $8.45
-29.82%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Topeka, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.78 $0.78
$1.04 $1.04
-25.00%
White Bread (500g)
$3.22 $3.22
$4.15 $4.15
-22.41%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.2 $2.2
$5.52 $5.52
-60.14%
Eggs
$4.3 $4.3
$4.65 $4.65
-7.53%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.96 $8.96
$14.33 $14.33
-37.47%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.08 $11.08
$14.88 $14.88
-25.54%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.96 $12.96
$19.34 $19.34
-32.99%
Apples (1kg)
$5.44 $5.44
$5.17 $5.17
5.22%
Banana (1kg)
$1.96 $1.96
$1.71 $1.71
14.62%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.66 $4.66
$4.41 $4.41
5.67%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.27 $4.27
$4.51 $4.51
-5.32%
Potato (1kg)
$3.75 $3.75
$2.53 $2.53
48.22%
Onion (1kg)
$2.54 $2.54
$2.74 $2.74
-7.30%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.89 $1.89
$2.43 $2.43
-22.22%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.02 $1.02
$2.7 $2.7
-62.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.04 $9.04
$15.19 $15.19
-40.49%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.97 $11.97
$16.42 $16.42
-27.10%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82 $1.82
$2.35 $2.35
-22.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65 $1.65
$3.7 $3.7
-55.41%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Topeka, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$4.41 $4.41
$2.53 $2.53
74.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$49.7 $49.7
$74.1 $74.1
-32.96%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.76 $2.76
$3.34 $3.34
-17.37%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.4 $1.4
$1.42 $1.42
-1.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$33.19 $33.19
$25.42 $25.42
30.57%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.77 $0.77
$1.08 $1.08
-28.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.9K $23.9K
$32.4K $32.4K
-26.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2K $25.2K
$26.2K $26.2K
-4.06%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Topeka, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$112 $112
$188 $188
-40.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$49.17 $49.17
$63.7 $63.7
-22.81%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.4 $63.4
$65.2 $65.2
-2.73%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Topeka, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$56.9 $56.9
$76.7 $76.7
-25.81%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.11 $15.11
$13.03 $13.03
15.96%
Cinema Ticket
$12.3 $12.3
$14.93 $14.93
-17.62%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Topeka, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$434 $434
$2,063 $2,063
-78.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.2K $23.2K
$39.2K $39.2K
-40.91%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Topeka, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.09 $22.09
$64.3 $64.3
-65.65%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.97 $19.97
$52.4 $52.4
-61.88%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$71.4 $71.4
$95.2 $95.2
-25.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.2 $79.2
$145 $145
-45.28%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Topeka, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$773 $773
$2,378 $2,378
-67.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$845 $845
$1,584 $1,584
-46.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,897 $1,897
$4,763 $4,763
-60.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,815 $1,815
$2,815 $2,815
-35.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,156 $1,156
$3,588 $3,588
-67.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,321 $1,321
$2,490 $2,490
-46.97%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Topeka, KS
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,458 $3,458
$5,275 $5,275
-34.44%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.11
6.6
-7.42%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Topeka, KS: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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