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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $991 (excluding rent), and $2,446 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,089 (excluding rent), and $4,896 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.09 $15.09

$12.07 $12.07

$28.16 $28.16

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$85.9 $85.9

$73.6 $73.6

$137 $137

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.44 $11.44

$8.95 $8.95

$11.93 $11.93

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.07 $4.07

$6.11 $6.11

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

$3.03 $3.03

$2.57 $2.57

$4.1 $4.1

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.41 $2.41

$1.83 $1.83

$4.09 $4.09

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.86 $5.86

$4.88 $4.88

$10.74 $10.74

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.75 $8.75

$7.2 $7.2

$13.38 $13.38

Milk (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$0.69 $0.69

$1.1 $1.1

White Bread (500g)

$4.55 $4.55

$1.07 $1.07

$6.45 $6.45

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.3 $3.3

$2.19 $2.19

$4.39 $4.39

Eggs

$5.07 $5.07

$2.03 $2.03

$8.12 $8.12

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.88 $7.88

$6.75 $6.75

$9 $9

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.35 $11.35

$6.59 $6.59

$19.77 $19.77

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.5 $11.5

$10.02 $10.02

$13.35 $13.35

Apples (1kg)

$5.63 $5.63

$2.16 $2.16

$7.59 $7.59

Banana (1kg)

$1.66 $1.66

$1.28 $1.28

$1.93 $1.93

Oranges (1kg)

$3 $3

$1.53 $1.53

$5.52 $5.52

Tomato (1kg)

$3.44 $3.44

$1.49 $1.49

$5.37 $5.37

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 $1.24

$0.76 $0.76

$1.72 $1.72

Onion (1kg)

$2.46 $2.46

$0.74 $0.74

$3.77 $3.77

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.66 $1.66

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.19 $2.19

$1.22 $1.22

$3.31 $3.31

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.6 $11.6

$10.96 $10.96

$12.23 $12.23

Wine (Bottle)

$12.58 $12.58

$9.06 $9.06

$20.14 $20.14

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.7 $1.7

$0.81 $0.81

$1.7 $1.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.38 $3.38

$1.61 $1.61

$6.04 $6.04

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.22 $1.22

$1.96 $1.96

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.42 $3.42

$2.93 $2.93

$4.89 $4.89

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.6 $1.6

$1.53 $1.53

$2.14 $2.14

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.5 $29.5

$26.68 $26.68

$35.37 $35.37

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 $0.95

$0.81 $0.81

$1.04 $1.04

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

$24.4K $24.4K

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

$25.1K $25.1K

$25.5K $25.5K

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

$171 $171

$148 $148

$197 $197

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

$51.6 $51.6

$24.92 $24.92

$129 $129

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$50.3 $50.3

$34.37 $34.37

$93.3 $93.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.32 $42.32

$17.22 $17.22

$49.21 $49.21

Cinema Ticket

$11.05 $11.05

$6.02 $6.02

$12.05 $12.05

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

$1,347 $1,347

$1,197 $1,197

$1,496 $1,496

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.8K $23.8K

$17.1K $17.1K

$27.7K $27.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.7 $45.7

$40.62 $40.62

$50.8 $50.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.04 $40.04

$25.03 $25.03

$65.1 $65.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$66.9 $66.9

$60.2 $60.2

$75.3 $75.3

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 $113

$64.7 $64.7

$202 $202

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,616 $1,616

$1,211 $1,211

$1,873 $1,873

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,373 $1,373

$1,014 $1,014

$1,521 $1,521

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,622 $2,622

$1,994 $1,994

$2,991 $2,991

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,180 $2,180

$1,667 $1,667

$2,452 $2,452

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,363 $2,363

$1,752 $1,752

$2,363 $2,363

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,165 $2,165

$1,761 $1,761

$2,165 $2,165

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.52

6.19

6.8

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

Last update: November 23, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Zion, IL - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Zion, IL offers a friendly balance between small-town practicality and access to larger markets. For travelers, expats, and digital nomads, the city delivers dependable services, calmer streets, and practical amenities without the sticker shock of major metros. Housing tends to be more approachable than in big cities, and daily routines can center around lakefront parks, local markets, and neighborhood cafes. Reliable internet is worth confirming at your preferred coworking spots or libraries. Seasonality shapes outdoor life, with longer summers supporting relaxed daytime work and sunset strolls. Tip: orient your stay around a few core neighborhoods to minimize transit time.

Daily life in Zion features a straightforward rhythm suitable for long stays or quick visits. Housing options cluster around the lakefront and town centers, offering cozy apartments and modest houses within easy reach of shops. Groceries mix familiar chains with local markets, and home cooking remains a reliable way to save time and money. Transportation leans on a car for most trips, with enough nearby services to minimize long drives; some buses connect to surrounding towns. Coworking spaces and libraries provide quiet work zones, and errands flow best when you map routes by neighborhood. Zion, IL living cost influences how you budget weekly essentials. Tip: cluster tasks to reduce trips.

A thoughtful approach to life in Zion keeps things affordable and enjoyable. Start with a simple budgeting mindset: prioritize essentials, plan flexible spending for leisure, and keep a small reserve for seasonal changes in utilities or activities. The lake adds seasonal flavor, so adjust activity levels to weather and crowds by neighborhood: lakefront stays lively in summer; inland pockets feel cozier in winter. Neighborhood fit matters for social life and errands, so try a few areas before deciding where to live. Use inexpensive, recurring routines – weekly farmers markets, library programs, or community events – to anchor your schedule. Tip: set recurring monthly checks to adjust plans as seasons shift.