Last update: Oct 2026 United States 41.3K

Cost of Living in Urbana, IL

For one person, living costs in Urbana, IL are estimated at $1,871 a month, including rent and utilities – 31% below the national average. Rent and utilities take more than half of the total.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Urbana, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Urbana, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Living costs for one person come to about $1,871 monthly including rent, or $884 excluding housing.

$1,871 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,123 with rent, or $1,508 without housing.

$2,123 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,374 including rent, or $2,133 for daily expenses alone.

$2,374 /mo
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.83 $14.83
$12.85 $12.85
$34.60 $34.60
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.0 $59.0
$44.26 $44.26
$148 $148
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.95 $9.95
$9.95 $9.95
$15.91 $15.91
Cappuccino
$4.71 $4.71
$3.92 $3.92
$7.83 $7.83
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25 $2.25
$2.05 $2.05
$4.09 $4.09
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77 $1.77
$1.51 $1.51
$3.53 $3.53
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.46 $5.46
$2.98 $2.98
$9.93 $9.93
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.65 $5.65
$3.59 $3.59
$12.32 $12.32
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.78 $0.78
$0.65 $0.65
$1.27 $1.27
White Bread (500g)
$3.03 $3.03
$1.52 $1.52
$4.28 $4.28
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.01 $3.01
$1.98 $1.98
$6.45 $6.45
Eggs
$3.82 $3.82
$2.96 $2.96
$5.92 $5.92
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.23 $12.23
$7.64 $7.64
$17.78 $17.78
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.95 $8.95
$8.39 $8.39
$8.95 $8.95
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.14 $14.14
$10.87 $10.87
$15.22 $15.22
Apples (1kg)
$4.02 $4.02
$2.23 $2.23
$5.58 $5.58
Banana (1kg)
$1.63 $1.63
$1.21 $1.21
$3.05 $3.05
Oranges (1kg)
$3.18 $3.18
$2.21 $2.21
$4.41 $4.41
Tomato (1kg)
$4.54 $4.54
$2.25 $2.25
$6.76 $6.76
Potato (1kg)
$2.23 $2.23
$1.11 $1.11
$3.35 $3.35
Onion (1kg)
$2.65 $2.65
$2.12 $2.12
$2.81 $2.81
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.30 $2.30
$1.72 $1.72
$4.07 $4.07
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.37 $1.37
$1.01 $1.01
$1.72 $1.72
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.21 $12.21
$10.03 $10.03
$12.83 $12.83
Wine (Bottle)
$15.22 $15.22
$12.18 $12.18
$20.30 $20.30
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.08 $2.08
$1.41 $1.41
$4.23 $4.23
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.51 $3.51
$2.04 $2.04
$6.13 $6.13
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.99 $0.99
$0.99 $0.99
$0.99 $0.99
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.03 $3.03
$3.03 $3.03
$5.04 $5.04
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.59 $0.59
$0.59 $0.59
$1.78 $1.78
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.08 $25.08
$20.23 $20.23
$40.46 $40.46
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 $1.16
$0.87 $0.87
$1.26 $1.26
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.7K $27.7K
$27.7K $27.7K
$36.7K $36.7K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$25.9K $25.9K
$26.8K $26.8K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$242 $242
$153 $153
$305 $305
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$44.28 $44.28
$29.41 $29.41
$98.0 $98.0
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.7 $60.7
$59.7 $59.7
$89.5 $89.5
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$13.14 $13.14
$13.14 $13.14
$15.16 $15.16
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,003 $1,003
$401 $401
$3,010 $3,010
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.4K $20.4K
$20.4K $20.4K
$42.7K $42.7K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.69 $48.69
$20.01 $20.01
$100 $100
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.8 $50.8
$29.49 $29.49
$88.5 $88.5
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$97.7 $97.7
$77.5 $77.5
$152 $152
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121 $121
$100 $100
$271 $271
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$866 $866
$866 $866
$866 $866
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$746 $746
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,774 $1,774
$1,693 $1,693
$1,834 $1,834
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,732 $1,732
$1,652 $1,652
$1,790 $1,790
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,774 $6,774
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.82
6
7.58

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

Last update: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Urbana, IL $1,871
Accommodation & Living
$746
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$347
Groceries & Markets
$340
Eating Out
$260
Clothing & Footwear
$143
Sport & Entertainment
$26 *
Getting Around
$10 *

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $866 for a central one-bedroom, or $746 outside the center. At 13% of the average salary ($6,774), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $6,774, while typical expenses reach $1,871. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $340 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $59.0 for two.

Cost Highlights

Taxi is cheaper than 99% of cities in North America

Milk is cheaper than 94% of cities in North America

Average monthly net salary is higher than 93% of cities in North America

Good to know
🕒 Local time
20:50 8:50 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
41,250
💱 Currency
📈 Exchange rate
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

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Urbana, IL Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Urbana, IL - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Urbana, IL a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to larger cities in terms of affordability?
On balance, Urbana offers solid value for those who want a calmer pace with access to big-city resources nearby. It tends to be more affordable than many coastal metros, with neighborhoods that balance charm and practicality. Your daily costs will feel reasonable if you focus on sustainable options and common-sense budgeting. Cost of Living in Urbana, IL, United States gives a clear sense of how lifestyle choices – like housing near campus, local markets, and transit – translate into value. Tip: identify your priorities, compare your housing and transportation options, and consider staying in a neighborhood with easy bike routes and walkable amenities to maximize value.
What does daily life look like for someone settling in Urbana, including housing search, groceries, transit, and coworking options?
Housing options span cozy apartments near campus to quiet family-friendly streets elsewhere, with leases that satisfy short stints or longer stays. For daily meals, you’ll find farmers markets, affordable groceries, and a mix of casual eateries. Transit includes good bus connections, walking, and bike-friendly streets that make commuting simple without a car. If you’re freelancing or remote, several coworking spaces and campus resources welcome visitors. Urbana, IL, United States living cost tends to be moderate, helping you stretch your budget while you explore seasonal events and neighborhood vibes. Tip: start your search by targeting walkable areas with nearby amenities and test rezoning rules for longer stays.
What affects quality of life in Urbana, and what budgeting framework helps you enjoy it without overspending?
Quality of life in Urbana unfolds through seasons and community energy. You’ll find a compact city vibe with easy access to greenspaces, campus activities, and local startups, which keeps social life flexible and low-stress. A practical budgeting framework works well: split your expenses into core needs (housing, food, transit) and discretionary perks (coffee, wellness, side trips). Shopping at co-ops, seasonal farmers markets, and neighborhood markets can stretch your budget. Seasonality influences clothing, heating, and energy use, so plan ahead for cooler months and summer trips. Tip: map a simple monthly plan that aligns housing proximity with daily errands to minimize travel time and costs.
Is Urbana, IL worth the cost of living?
At around $1,871 monthly all-in, Urbana, IL offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.
Is Urbana, IL expensive to live in?
Everyday life in Urbana, IL is moderately priced at about $1,871 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
Can you save money on an average salary in Urbana, IL?
At $6,774 take-home, most residents in Urbana, IL can cover the $1,871 monthly cost of living. Those earning $2,807 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
What are typical rents in Urbana, IL?
Where you live in Urbana, IL makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $866; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $746. Overall, the market runs from $746 to $866 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
Is food expensive in Urbana, IL?
At about $340 monthly, food costs in Urbana, 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.
How much does childcare cost in Urbana, IL?
Childcare averages $1,003 monthly at a private kindergarten in Urbana, IL. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.
Can a person live on $2,000 monthly in Urbana, IL?
Living on $2,000 in Urbana, IL means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,871. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
What is quality of life like in Urbana, IL?
Urbana, IL offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value fast internet, vibrant nightlife, clean air, and at around $1,871 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.
Can you save money living in Urbana, IL?
Monthly expenses in Urbana, IL run around $1,871, so putting money aside takes more than $2,807 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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