Cost of Living Comparison Between West Monroe, LA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between West Monroe, LA and Chicago, IL

🙂 Solo nomad: West Monroe, LA is 37.6% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 20.9% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: West Monroe, LA is 25.6% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 26% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
West Monroe, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.78 $14.78
$20.82 $20.82
-29.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$55.1 $55.1
$100 $100
-45.14%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.89 $9.89
$11.97 $11.97
-17.38%
Cappuccino
$6.02 $6.02
$5.56 $5.56
8.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02 $2.02
$3.11 $3.11
-35.05%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28 $1.28
$2.42 $2.42
-47.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.96 $4.96
$6.86 $6.86
-27.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.17 $4.17
$8.45 $8.45
-50.65%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
West Monroe, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.21 $1.21
$1.04 $1.04
16.35%
White Bread (500g)
$3.06 $3.06
$4.15 $4.15
-26.27%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.37 $2.37
$5.52 $5.52
-57.07%
Eggs
$3.1 $3.1
$4.65 $4.65
-33.33%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.39 $13.39
$14.33 $14.33
-6.56%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.31 $11.31
$14.88 $14.88
-23.99%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.45 $16.45
$19.34 $19.34
-14.94%
Apples (1kg)
$2.7 $2.7
$5.17 $5.17
-47.78%
Banana (1kg)
$1.99 $1.99
$1.71 $1.71
16.37%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.35 $3.35
$4.41 $4.41
-24.04%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.3 $1.3
$4.51 $4.51
-71.18%
Potato (1kg)
$2.22 $2.22
$2.53 $2.53
-12.25%
Onion (1kg)
$1.33 $1.33
$2.74 $2.74
-51.46%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.43 $2.43
-17.28%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.87 $1.87
$2.7 $2.7
-30.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.88 $7.88
$15.19 $15.19
-48.12%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.84 $17.84
$16.42 $16.42
8.65%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.86 $1.86
$2.35 $2.35
-20.85%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.8 $2.8
$3.7 $3.7
-24.32%
🚌 Getting Around
West Monroe, LA
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)
$3.98 $3.98
$3.34 $3.34
19.16%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.26 $1.26
$1.42 $1.42
-11.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$59.5 $59.5
$25.42 $25.42
134.07%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.76 $0.76
$1.08 $1.08
-29.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.4K $37.4K
$32.4K $32.4K
15.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.5K $24.5K
$26.2K $26.2K
-6.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
West Monroe, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$139 $139
$188 $188
-25.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$44.59 $44.59
$63.7 $63.7
-30.00%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.8 $74.8
$65.2 $65.2
14.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
West Monroe, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.45 $43.45
$76.7 $76.7
-43.37%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.17 $12.17
$14.93 $14.93
-18.49%
🧸 Childcare & Education
West Monroe, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,320 $1,320
$2,063 $2,063
-35.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.2K $10.2K
$39.2K $39.2K
-74.00%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
West Monroe, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.46 $36.46
$64.3 $64.3
-43.31%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.11 $43.11
$52.4 $52.4
-17.71%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$73 $73
$95.2 $95.2
-23.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.1 $77.1
$145 $145
-46.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
West Monroe, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,603 $1,603
$2,378 $2,378
-32.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,330 $1,330
$1,584 $1,584
-16.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,581 $2,581
$4,763 $4,763
-45.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,257 $2,257
$2,815 $2,815
-19.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,998 $2,998
$3,588 $3,588
-16.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,514 $2,514
$2,490 $2,490
0.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
West Monroe, LA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$5,275 $5,275
-
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 West Monroe, LA: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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