Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Neenah, WI Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Neenah, WI

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,534 in Neenah, WI, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,656 in Neenah, WI, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,779 in Neenah, WI, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 20% more than Neenah, WI, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Neenah, WI sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Neenah, WI by 89%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$15.21 $15.21

35.90%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$86.7 $86.7

15.90%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$8.79 $8.79

34.93%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.47 $5.47

1.28%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.39 $2.39

28.03%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.54 $1.54

61.04%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$6.03 $6.03

14.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$8.49 $8.49

-4.24%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.87 $0.87

19.54%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$4.53 $4.53

-13.69%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$3.22 $3.22

68.32%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$5.11 $5.11

-12.33%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$7.90 $7.90

83.80%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$11.19 $11.19

35.92%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$11.32 $11.32

70.05%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$5.76 $5.76

-6.42%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.64 $1.64

3.05%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$2.94 $2.94

46.94%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$3.45 $3.45

30.72%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.24 $1.24

106.45%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.39 $2.39

12.97%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$1.61 $1.61

49.69%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.12 $2.12

23.58%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$11.50 $11.50

30.61%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$8.29 $8.29

77.44%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.77 $1.77

40.11%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$3.28 $3.28

12.50%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.97 $1.97

29.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

$35.39 $35.39

113.31%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$3.56 $3.56

-7.58%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$29.27 $29.27

-15.54%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.83 $0.83

31.33%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$24.0K $24.0K

32.16%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.7K $25.7K

2.84%

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

$183 $183

$171 $171

7.40%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$51.6 $51.6

19.90%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$51.8 $51.8

25.51%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$42.18 $42.18

80.37%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$10.82 $10.82

36.32%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$1,354 $1,354

51.89%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$23.9K $23.9K

61.42%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$44.33 $44.33

44.21%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$39.64 $39.64

30.15%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$66.5 $66.5

46.17%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$112 $112

30.91%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,573 $1,573

49.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,334 $1,334

18.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,648 $2,648

77.84%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,212 $2,212

22.74%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$1,886 $1,886

110.83%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$1,874 $1,874

40.42%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$7,892 $7,892

-40.15%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.52

1.23%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Neenah, WI: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,573 in Neenah, 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 67% higher in Neenah, WI, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $100 in Chicago, IL versus $87 in Neenah, WI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $341 – making Neenah, 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 Neenah, WI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,534 in Neenah, WI – roughly 20% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,801 in Neenah, WI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 31% 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 mid-range dinner for two costs $100 in Chicago, IL and $87.0 in Neenah, WI. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Neenah, WI, where all-in costs run around $2,534, than in Chicago, IL at $3,051. In Neenah, 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 $2,534 in Neenah, WI to $3,051 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 Neenah, 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.