Cost of Living in Des Plaines, IL - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,066 (excluding rent), and $2,564 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,708 (excluding rent), and $5,080 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.24 $15.24

$20.32 $20.32

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$81.3 $81.3

$50.8 $50.8

$152 $152

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.97 $10.97

$9.97 $9.97

$14.96 $14.96

Cappuccino

$5.45 $5.45

$4.05 $4.05

$7.45 $7.45

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.73 $2.73

$1.92 $1.92

$3.56 $3.56

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 $2.34

$2.02 $2.02

$3.03 $3.03

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.85 $5.85

$3.9 $3.9

$7.8 $7.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.9 $6.9

$4.93 $4.93

$7.89 $7.89

Milk (1 liter)

$0.94 $0.94

$0.69 $0.69

$1.2 $1.2

White Bread (500g)

$4.1 $4.1

$2.01 $2.01

$5.89 $5.89

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.36 $5.36

$2.23 $2.23

$11.25 $11.25

Eggs

$4.03 $4.03

$1.99 $1.99

$5.98 $5.98

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.61 $13.61

$8.65 $8.65

$19.46 $19.46

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.48 $13.48

$5.97 $5.97

$20.09 $20.09

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.59 $16.59

$7.77 $7.77

$22.19 $22.19

Apples (1kg)

$4.33 $4.33

$2.14 $2.14

$8.57 $8.57

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.11 $1.11

$2.46 $2.46

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$1.55 $1.55

$9.01 $9.01

Tomato (1kg)

$4.58 $4.58

$2.24 $2.24

$7.21 $7.21

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.11 $1.11

$4.46 $4.46

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$1.11 $1.11

$4.46 $4.46

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.02 $2.02

$1.12 $1.12

$3.06 $3.06

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.02 $1.02

$3.05 $3.05

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.65 $14.65

$9.09 $9.09

$15.16 $15.16

Wine (Bottle)

$14.12 $14.12

$9.88 $9.88

$18.77 $18.77

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.39 $1.39

$4.18 $4.18

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$1.7 $1.7

$6.81 $6.81

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.23 $1.23

$1.96 $1.96

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.48 $4.48

$4.98 $4.98

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$3.07 $3.07

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.67 $24.67

$41.45 $41.45

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.1 $1.1

$0.75 $0.75

$1.32 $1.32

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$25.2K $25.2K

$23.3K $23.3K

$30.2K $30.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.6K $25.6K

$20.2K $20.2K

$26.2K $26.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$186 $186

$92.2 $92.2

$393 $393

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$50.5 $50.5

$29.76 $29.76

$79.4 $79.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.1 $65.1

$44.21 $44.21

$98.3 $98.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.67 $43.67

$17.77 $17.77

$50.8 $50.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$39.51 $39.51

Cinema Ticket

$15.07 $15.07

$13.06 $13.06

$25.11 $25.11

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,598 $1,598

$1,177 $1,177

$2,943 $2,943

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.5K $24.5K

$19.9K $19.9K

$45.3K $45.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$39.67 $39.67

$89.3 $89.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.61 $47.61

$29.55 $29.55

$73.9 $73.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.1 $97.1

$65.7 $65.7

$126 $126

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$131 $131

$73.9 $73.9

$246 $246

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,574 $1,574

$1,179 $1,179

$1,825 $1,825

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,338 $1,338

$988 $988

$1,482 $1,482

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,656 $2,656

$2,020 $2,020

$3,029 $3,029

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,229 $2,229

$1,706 $1,706

$2,508 $2,508

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,261 $3,261

$2,174 $2,174

$4,349 $4,349

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,475 $2,475

$1,714 $1,714

$3,236 $3,236

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,299 $6,299

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

7.3

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

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Cost of Living in Des Plaines, IL - Frequently Asked Questions

Des Plaines offers a practical balance for travelers, remote workers, and families who want easy access to Chicago without the higher rents of an urban center. It tends to feel more affordable than downtown Chicago or nearby city cores, especially if you’re open to a mix of rental apartments, small houses, or renovated condos. Neighborhoods vary, with quieter streets near parks and busier corridors along main avenues. Public transit via Metra makes weekend city trips straightforward, and nearby amenities keep daily errands manageable. This balance shows in Cost of Living in Des Plaines, IL, United States. Tip: explore a few neighborhoods on different days to sense vibe and value.

On a typical day, you balance a comfortable home base with easy Chicago access. Start with coffee at a local cafe, then run errands at nearby groceries or shops. If you’re hunting for a place, plan showings on a weekday afternoon to compare options and parking. For transport, the Metra rail link keeps downtown trips reasonable, and several bus routes connect neighborhoods; cycling can work in dry months. Dining options range from casual chains to local diners, and you’ll find a mix of groceries, ethnic markets, and farmers markets within reach. Des Plaines, IL, United States living cost is a reasonable backdrop for planning. Tip: keep a flexible schedule to switch between errands and work.

Adopt a straightforward budgeting framework to balance housing, utilities, groceries, and transport while leaving room for social activities and travel. Seasonality matters: winters can raise heating needs and clothing costs, summers invite outdoor options but can increase cooling use. For neighborhood fit, prioritize proximity to transit, parks, and groceries; east Des Plaines routes around the Metra hub offer convenience, while quieter west blocks provide more space. Practical savings come from cooking at home, buying in-season produce, and negotiating lease terms when possible. Tip: test several areas in different seasons before committing to a long-term lease.