Cost of Living in Rock Island, IL - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,105 (excluding rent), and $2,577 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,206 (excluding rent), and $5,043 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.1 $16.1

$15.09 $15.09

$25.15 $25.15

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.8 $88.8

$54.2 $54.2

$118 $118

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.04 $12.04

$12.29 $12.29

Cappuccino

$6.14 $6.14

$4.95 $4.95

$9.9 $9.9

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

$2.64 $2.64

$2.01 $2.01

$3.52 $3.52

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 $2.27

$1.98 $1.98

$2.96 $2.96

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.09 $5.09

$3.05 $3.05

$7.13 $7.13

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.02 $7.02

$4.01 $4.01

$9.02 $9.02

Milk (1 liter)

$0.9 $0.9

$0.68 $0.68

$1.51 $1.51

White Bread (500g)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.08 $1.08

$3.56 $3.56

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.27 $2.27

$1.81 $1.81

$2.27 $2.27

Eggs

$3.66 $3.66

$2.03 $2.03

$9.1 $9.1

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.52 $12.52

$8.67 $8.67

$14.12 $14.12

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.69 $14.69

$8.83 $8.83

$19.84 $19.84

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.22 $18.22

$12.09 $12.09

$21.97 $21.97

Apples (1kg)

$4.33 $4.33

$2.76 $2.76

$8.56 $8.56

Banana (1kg)

$1.55 $1.55

$0.84 $0.84

$3.19 $3.19

Oranges (1kg)

$3.6 $3.6

$2.17 $2.17

$3.91 $3.91

Tomato (1kg)

$3.49 $3.49

$1.75 $1.75

$3.93 $3.93

Potato (1kg)

$1.61 $1.61

$1.08 $1.08

$2.14 $2.14

Onion (1kg)

$2.93 $2.93

$2.12 $2.12

$3.63 $3.63

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.48 $2.48

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.07 $1.07

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.05 $9.05

$7.04 $7.04

$10.05 $10.05

Wine (Bottle)

$14.53 $14.53

$10.16 $10.16

$19.31 $19.31

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 $1.69

$3.83 $3.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.03 $4.03

$3.02 $3.02

$5.03 $5.03

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.24 $1.24

$1.98 $1.98

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.99 $1.99

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.57 $1.57

$2.75 $2.75

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.64 $19.64

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.77 $0.77

$0.67 $0.67

$0.85 $0.85

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

$25.8K $25.8K

$35.4K $35.4K

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

$24.3K $24.3K

$23.2K $23.2K

$24.7K $24.7K

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

$143 $143

$126 $126

$158 $158

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

$51.3 $51.3

$22.03 $22.03

$90.1 $90.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.6 $75.6

$59.9 $59.9

$99.8 $99.8

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.14 $42.14

$17.15 $17.15

$49 $49

Cinema Ticket

$15.26 $15.26

$10.17 $10.17

$15.26 $15.26

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

$1,354 $1,354

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12K $12K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.8 $64.8

$30.6 $30.6

$102 $102

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.9 $50.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.6 $71.6

$49.02 $49.02

$147 $147

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$141 $141

$59.3 $59.3

$247 $247

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,596 $1,596

$1,195 $1,195

$1,850 $1,850

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,346 $1,346

$995 $995

$1,492 $1,492

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,613 $2,613

$1,987 $1,987

$2,981 $2,981

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)

$2,831 $2,831

$2,076 $2,076

$2,831 $2,831

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,469 $2,469

$2,017 $2,017

$2,469 $2,469

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.61

6.19

6.8

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 Rock Island, IL - Frequently Asked Questions

Rock Island delivers a mid-range affordability vibe common to the Midwest. You’ll find more value in modest apartments, practical layouts, and longer-term leases than in flashy high-rises. Cost of Living in Rock Island, IL, United States sits comfortably below many larger metro areas, while you still benefit from riverfront walks, cultural venues, and easy trips to the broader Quad Cities. For maximum value, consider older but well-maintained buildings, neighborhoods with compact markets, and renting with roommates or a flexible lease. This setup suits travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want steadier housing costs and a more manageable pace. Tip: Start with a neighborhood map to cluster errands and work spots.

Daily life in Rock Island revolves around a practical, bike-and-car mix. In terms of housing search, focus on downtown and riverfront pockets near schools or parks, and use local listings, drive-bys, and short-term rentals to gauge fit. Food options range from reliable supermarkets to casual diners and seasonal farmers markets in warmer months. For transport, a car is common, with bike lanes and walkable cores; local errands are easy within a compact radius. If you compare errands and work setup, you’ll notice the [Rock Island, IL, United States] living cost tends to stay predictable with seasonal shifts in energy use and grocery trips. Tip: Try a two-week trial stay to settle into a routine.

Budgeting here works best with a simple framework: divide essentials (housing, utilities, groceries) and discretionary (eating out, entertainment). To boost savings, group errands by neighborhood, take advantage of seasonal produce, and time outdoor activities to the riverfront when weather is pleasant. Seasonality affects energy use, with winter needing reliable heating and summer inviting outdoor work and events, so plan accordingly. Neighborhood fit matters: downtowns vibe for walkers and cafés; nearby residential streets offer quieter mornings and easy access to parks. A practical approach is to test two or three areas across a full month before committing to a long-term lease. Tip: map a monthly routine to minimize backtracking and transport costs.