Cost of Living in Normal, IL - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,095 (excluding rent), and $1,888 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,451 (excluding rent), and $4,684 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.94 $9.94

$7.96 $7.96

$39.78 $39.78

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.67 $49.67

$39.73 $39.73

$79.5 $79.5

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.9 $9.9

$8.91 $8.91

$12.87 $12.87

Cappuccino

$4.87 $4.87

$3.89 $3.89

$5.84 $5.84

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

$3.05 $3.05

$2.21 $2.21

$3.96 $3.96

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.22 $2.22

$1.78 $1.78

$3.04 $3.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.94 $4.94

$3.95 $3.95

$6.91 $6.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.88 $6.88

$5.89 $5.89

$7.86 $7.86

Milk (1 liter)

$0.82 $0.82

$0.73 $0.73

$1.04 $1.04

White Bread (500g)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.62 $1.62

$10.79 $10.79

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.28 $3.28

$1.75 $1.75

$8.75 $8.75

Eggs

$4.02 $4.02

$1.91 $1.91

$6.03 $6.03

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.89 $8.89

$7.78 $7.78

$13.34 $13.34

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.36 $12.36

$4.54 $4.54

$15.14 $15.14

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.42 $15.42

$13.33 $13.33

$22.22 $22.22

Apples (1kg)

$5.58 $5.58

$4.3 $4.3

$8.65 $8.65

Banana (1kg)

$1.16 $1.16

$0.9 $0.9

$4.49 $4.49

Oranges (1kg)

$4.7 $4.7

$2.49 $2.49

$6.77 $6.77

Tomato (1kg)

$4.91 $4.91

$2.19 $2.19

$6.46 $6.46

Potato (1kg)

$2.19 $2.19

$1.1 $1.1

$6.74 $6.74

Onion (1kg)

$2.2 $2.2

$1.55 $1.55

$6.76 $6.76

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.31 $1.31

$3.02 $3.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.73 $2.73

$1.54 $1.54

$3.07 $3.07

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.61 $10.61

$9.91 $9.91

$15.16 $15.16

Wine (Bottle)

$11.72 $11.72

$9.17 $9.17

$30.58 $30.58

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.89 $1.89

$1.77 $1.77

$2.93 $2.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.96 $2.96

$1.48 $1.48

$4.93 $4.93

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.22 $1.22

$1.96 $1.96

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$92.7 $92.7

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.76 $2.76

$4.43 $4.43

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.62 $1.62

$2.83 $2.83

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$20.85 $20.85

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.84 $0.84

$0.74 $0.74

$0.96 $0.96

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

$30.2K $30.2K

$23.2K $23.2K

$35.8K $35.8K

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

$26K $26K

$24.6K $24.6K

$26K $26K

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

$186 $186

$152 $152

$233 $233

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

$40.66 $40.66

$35.58 $35.58

$81.3 $81.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$64.8 $64.8

$50.8 $50.8

$87.4 $87.4

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.36 $43.36

$17.65 $17.65

$50.4 $50.4

Cinema Ticket

$14.55 $14.55

$9.89 $9.89

$17.28 $17.28

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

$696 $696

$2,288 $2,288

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.9K $23.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$29.61 $29.61

$11.84 $11.84

$98.7 $98.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.37 $39.37

$24.6 $24.6

$49.21 $49.21

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.6 $78.6

$44.22 $44.22

$147 $147

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 $107

$54.8 $54.8

$203 $203

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,614 $1,614

$1,209 $1,209

$1,871 $1,871

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$702 $702

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,662 $2,662

$2,025 $2,025

$3,037 $3,037

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,263 $2,263

$1,731 $1,731

$2,546 $2,546

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$9,927 $9,927

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,365 $3,365

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.55

6.19

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Normal, IL - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Normal, IL sits between major gateways and rural towns, offering practical value for longer stays without the price spikes of bigger cities. You'll find balanced options across housing, groceries, and services, with campus influence keeping some costs predictable. Neighborhoods near Uptown Normal or the university corridor tend to combine convenience with affordable access to amenities, while a Midwest pace supports steady spending and reasonable expectations for utilities and transportation. Public services and safety contribute to reliable daily life, and a compact layout makes short trips practical. Tip: map a monthly budget around rent, utilities, and near-term needs, then test a few areas before committing.

Daily life in Normal blends small-town ease with campus energy. Housing searches benefit from focusing on Uptown Normal and the campus corridor for walkable options, with a mix of apartments, townhomes, and family rentals. Food options range from casual diners to local markets and farmers markets that follow the seasons. Transportation leans toward car use, but the downtown is walkable and cycling makes quick errands practical; you'll find quiet streets and a few coworking spots with reliable wifi. Normal, IL living cost is typically balanced, so plan a flexible budget that scales with seasonality and occasional travel. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to test neighborhoods before committing long-term.

Quality of life in Normal, IL centers on a compact, walkable feel with easy access to outdoor trails, local shops, and a university community that brings events year-round. When budgeting, use a clear framework: separate essentials from discretionary spend, and test a simple envelope or digital category plan for housing, utilities, groceries, and transport. Seasons influence routines and costs - winter heating, summer cooling, and seasonal farmers markets can shape your food budget and activities. Neighborhood fit matters: Uptown offers nightlife and dining clusters, while quieter residential streets suit daily routines and longer stays. Tip: visit at different times of day and week to gauge noise, traffic, and access to essential services.