Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fond du Lac, WI Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fond du Lac, WI

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $987 in Fond du Lac, WI, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,641 in Fond du Lac, WI, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,295 in Fond du Lac, WI, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 216% more than Fond du Lac, WI, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Chicago, IL sits 128% above the global median, while Fond du Lac, WI is 28% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$12.92 $12.92

54.18%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$67.6 $67.6

30.92%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$7.95 $7.95

62.77%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.04 $4.04

37.13%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.91 $2.91

-5.84%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.35 $2.35

0.43%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$3.97 $3.97

79.35%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$6.12 $6.12

42.65%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.76 $0.76

76.32%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$2.84 $2.84

46.83%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$2.96 $2.96

93.58%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$3.15 $3.15

55.24%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$16.46 $16.46

-10.27%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$11.56 $11.56

28.46%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$12.99 $12.99

50.96%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$4.47 $4.47

24.61%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.68 $1.68

14.29%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.59 $3.59

16.16%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$6.06 $6.06

-19.80%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$4.66 $4.66

-39.06%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.50 $2.50

12.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$0.98 $0.98

124.49%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$1.71 $1.71

78.95%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$11.17 $11.17

44.67%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$8.10 $8.10

82.96%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.70 $1.70

48.82%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$10.15 $10.15

-67.49%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$20.30 $20.30

23.74%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.88 $0.88

32.95%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$24.4K $24.4K

47.55%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.3K $25.3K

3.67%

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

$191 $191

$99.4 $99.4

92.42%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$37.03 $37.03

83.42%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$51.5 $51.5

19.74%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$11.96 $11.96

50.67%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,475 $1,475

3.16%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$57.7 $57.7

10.42%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$46.80 $46.80

18.06%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$89.2 $89.2

12.54%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$221 $221

-30.78%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,217 $1,217

97.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$1,508 $1,508

203.41%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$1,785 $1,785

125.82%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$1,786 $1,786

53.68%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$2,953 $2,953

62.69%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.16

3.57%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Fond du Lac, WI: September 15, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,217 in Fond du Lac, WI. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 63% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $68.0 in Fond du Lac, WI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $352 – making Fond du Lac, WI the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Chicago, IL vs Fond du Lac, WI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $987 in Fond du Lac, WI – roughly 216% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $1,481 in Fond du Lac, WI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Fond du Lac, WI, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $68.0 in Fond du Lac, WI. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 32% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Fond du Lac, WI, where all-in costs run around $987, than in Chicago, IL at $3,117. In Fond du Lac, WI it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $987 in Fond du Lac, WI to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Fond du Lac, WI. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.