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

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $3,139 monthly including rent, or $1,315 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $4,292 with rent, or $2,340 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $5,445 including rent, or $3,365 for daily expenses alone.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.61 $19.61

$14.70 $14.70

$34.31 $34.31

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$89.9 $89.9

$64.9 $64.9

$120 $120

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.03 $13.03

$11.02 $11.02

$15.03 $15.03

Cappuccino

$5.72 $5.72

$5.02 $5.02

$7.37 $7.37

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

$2.68 $2.68

$2.02 $2.02

$4.03 $4.03

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.29 $2.29

$1.79 $1.79

$3.07 $3.07

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.93 $6.93

$3.96 $3.96

$9.91 $9.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.64 $7.64

$6.11 $6.11

$18.89 $18.89

Milk (1 liter)

$1.00 $1.00

$0.73 $0.73

$1.20 $1.20

White Bread (500g)

$3.66 $3.66

$2.19 $2.19

$6.57 $6.57

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.71 $4.71

$2.18 $2.18

$10.92 $10.92

Eggs

$4.03 $4.03

$2.45 $2.45

$5.63 $5.63

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.14 $15.14

$10.94 $10.94

$19.69 $19.69

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.42 $13.42

$6.54 $6.54

$17.45 $17.45

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.88 $19.88

$11.20 $11.20

$31.37 $31.37

Apples (1kg)

$5.01 $5.01

$2.21 $2.21

$8.74 $8.74

Banana (1kg)

$1.66 $1.66

$1.24 $1.24

$2.45 $2.45

Oranges (1kg)

$4.07 $4.07

$2.17 $2.17

$12.35 $12.35

Tomato (1kg)

$4.88 $4.88

$3.20 $3.20

$6.45 $6.45

Potato (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$1.95 $1.95

$4.38 $4.38

Onion (1kg)

$2.78 $2.78

$1.08 $1.08

$4.32 $4.32

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.10 $2.10

$1.24 $1.24

$3.95 $3.95

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.54 $1.54

$3.08 $3.08

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.52 $10.52

$10.20 $10.20

$20.59 $20.59

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$9.98 $9.98

$21.95 $21.95

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.39 $1.39

$4.18 $4.18

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.39 $3.39

$1.98 $1.98

$6.91 $6.91

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.02 $2.02

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$59.3 $59.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.17 $3.17

$5.86 $5.86

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$2.43 $2.43

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.51 $22.51

$20.10 $20.10

$43.96 $43.96

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.00 $1.00

$0.89 $0.89

$1.34 $1.34

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

$36.6K $36.6K

$30.5K $30.5K

$38.9K $38.9K

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

$25.5K $25.5K

$25.2K $25.2K

$26.2K $26.2K

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

$193 $193

$111 $111

$326 $326

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

$59.5 $59.5

$29.76 $29.76

$99.2 $99.2

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$78.2 $78.2

$55.5 $55.5

$101 $101

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$122 $122

$59.0 $59.0

$186 $186

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.05 $40.05

Cinema Ticket

$14.83 $14.83

$10.87 $10.87

$24.72 $24.72

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

$1,559 $1,559

$705 $705

$3,043 $3,043

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.0K $23.0K

$15.4K $15.4K

$41.3K $41.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.1 $64.1

$45.64 $45.64

$81.1 $81.1

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.7 $50.7

$30.07 $30.07

$125 $125

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$103 $103

$81.4 $81.4

$142 $142

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 $121

$99.4 $99.4

$149 $149

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,619 $1,619

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,228 $2,228

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,275 $3,275

$2,183 $2,183

$4,366 $4,366

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,480 $2,480

$1,718 $1,718

$3,242 $3,242

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,177 $6,177

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

7.3

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

Last update: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average take-home pay sits at $6,177, while typical expenses reach $3,139. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $431 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $90.0 for two.

Public transport is priced at around $59.3 per month.

Cost Highlights

Gym membership is more expensive than 98% of cities in North America

Family monthly cost (excluding rent) is more expensive than 95% of cities in North America

Monthly cost (excluding rent) is more expensive than 92% of cities in North America

Des Plaines, IL Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North America

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.

Everyday life in Des Plaines, IL is moderately priced at about $3,139 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.

At roughly 0% of income going to housing, Des Plaines, IL is one of those places where rent doesn't dominate your paycheck. The low ratio is a standout advantage and gives residents real financial breathing room compared to pricier cities.

At $6,177 take-home, most residents in Des Plaines, IL can cover the $3,139 monthly cost of living. Those earning $4,708 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.

A monthly transit pass in Des Plaines, IL runs about $59.3, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.

At about $431 monthly, food costs in Des Plaines, IL sit in moderate territory. A mix of local markets and supermarkets covers most needs at fair prices, and most residents eat well without having to pinch pennies.

Living on $3,000 in Des Plaines, IL means careful planning, since monthly costs average $3,139. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.

Retirement in Des Plaines, IL is comfortable for most – total costs run about $3,139 monthly. Healthcare, daily amenities, and social infrastructure are all in place, and most retirees find it a practical, enjoyable place to settle.