Cost of living comparison
Illinois is 30.5% more expensive than Germany overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 4.7% less in Illinois
- Groceries
-
pay 23.8% more in Illinois
- Transportation
-
pay 8.9% less in Illinois
- Housing
-
pay 38.5% more in Illinois
- Childcare
-
pay 2.5 times more in Illinois
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 26.8% more in Illinois
- Clothing
-
pay 13.4% less in Illinois
The cost of childcare, housing, entertainment and sports, and groceries in Illinois are more expensive than in Germany. Expenses including clothing, transportation, and restaurants are lower in Illinois. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in Illinois.
If you lived in Illinois instead of Germany, you would:
pay 4.7% less for restaurants
|
Germany
|
Illinois
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$14.04
€13.68
|
$16.03
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$10.20
€9.93
|
$10.33
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.80
€2.73
|
$2.49
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.41
€2.35
|
$1.85
|
|
pay 23.8% more for groceries
|
Germany
|
Illinois
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.03
€1.98
|
$3.19
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$6.71
€6.53
|
$5.63
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$4.38
€4.26
|
$3.30
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.41
€3.32
|
$2.92
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$6.24
€6.07
|
$5.08
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$1.28
€1.24
|
$2.10
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.70
€0.68
|
$0.66
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$0.97
€0.95
|
$2.05
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.10
€2.04
|
$1.82
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$0.66
€0.64
|
$0.98
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$0.69
€0.67
|
$1.20
|
|
pay 8.9% less for transportation
|
Germany
|
Illinois
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$7.07
€6.89
|
$3.61
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$52.96
€51.57
|
$72.95
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$28,807.86
€28,050.50
|
$28,096.73
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$23.02
€22.41
|
$17.96
|
|
pay 38.5% more for housing
|
Germany
|
Illinois
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$48.22
€46.95
|
$65.96
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$790.39
€769.61
|
$1,375.37
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$625.27
€608.84
|
$1,146.99
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$230.06
€224.02
|
$137.37
|
|
pay 2.5 times more for childcare
|
Germany
|
Illinois
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$458.39
€446.34
|
$1,394.11
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$12,308.95
€11,985.34
|
$24,405.00
|
|
pay 26.8% more for entertainment and sports
|
Germany
|
Illinois
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$4.42
€4.30
|
$5.17
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$3.49
€3.39
|
$4.81
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$8.74
€8.51
|
$9.79
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$36.01
€35.06
|
$60.87
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$12.80
€12.46
|
$12.50
|
|
pay 13.4% less for clothing
|
Germany
|
Illinois
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$82.34
€80.17
|
$51.50
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$40.78
€39.71
|
$41.59
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$91.59
€89.18
|
$80.60
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$123.43
€120.18
|
$115.89
|
|
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