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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,857 in Oshkosh, WI, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,601 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,804 in Oshkosh, WI, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,085 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,752 in Oshkosh, WI, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 68% more than Oshkosh, WI, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Oshkosh, WI sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 134%, Oshkosh, WI by 39%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.18 $20.18

$14.98 $14.98

34.71%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$60.3 $60.3

67.91%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.09 $12.09

$11.48 $11.48

5.31%

Cappuccino

$5.75 $5.75

$5.33 $5.33

7.88%

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

$2.98 $2.98

$3.02 $3.02

-1.32%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.38 $2.38

3.36%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.04 $7.04

$5.83 $5.83

20.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.27 $8.27

$6.98 $6.98

18.48%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.71 $0.71

52.11%

White Bread (500g)

$4.14 $4.14

$4.52 $4.52

-8.41%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.38 $5.38

$3.40 $3.40

58.24%

Eggs

$4.52 $4.52

$4.96 $4.96

-8.87%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.25 $14.25

$7.78 $7.78

83.16%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.04 $15.04

$9.56 $9.56

57.32%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.84 $18.84

$8.44 $8.44

123.22%

Apples (1kg)

$5.13 $5.13

$4.47 $4.47

14.77%

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.26 $1.26

34.92%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$3.03 $3.03

39.93%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.43 $4.43

$3.60 $3.60

23.06%

Potato (1kg)

$2.57 $2.57

$1.78 $1.78

44.38%

Onion (1kg)

$2.73 $2.73

$2.38 $2.38

14.71%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.23 $1.23

104.88%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.27 $1.27

106.30%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.91 $14.91

$6.96 $6.96

114.22%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.19 $15.19

$8.02 $8.02

89.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.70 $1.70

44.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$1.96 $1.96

90.82%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.29 $1.29

92.25%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.6 $73.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.31 $3.31

$3.42 $3.42

-3.22%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.42 $1.42

-4.23%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.06 $25.06

$29.49 $29.49

-15.02%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.99 $0.99

6.06%

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

$32.6K $32.6K

$20.1K $20.1K

62.15%

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

$26.5K $26.5K

$19.5K $19.5K

35.67%

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

$187 $187

$171 $171

9.35%

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

$63.6 $63.6

$52.6 $52.6

20.89%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.0 $66.0

$50.4 $50.4

31.00%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.1 $77.1

$42.42 $42.42

81.78%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.92 $12.92

Cinema Ticket

$15.15 $15.15

$10.86 $10.86

39.50%

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

$2,029 $2,029

$1,343 $1,343

51.15%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.7K $38.7K

$23.6K $23.6K

63.98%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.5 $63.5

$44.80 $44.80

41.81%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.1 $52.1

$39.30 $39.30

32.49%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.1 $96.1

$65.4 $65.4

46.96%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$114 $114

29.61%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,343 $2,343

$1,005 $1,005

133.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,623 $1,623

$811 $811

99.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,601 $4,601

$1,874 $1,874

145.51%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,774 $2,774

$1,388 $1,388

99.95%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,933 $3,933

$1,932 $1,932

103.57%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,562 $2,562

$1,958 $1,958

30.86%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,176 $5,176

$3,645 $3,645

42.00%

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: June 14, 2026

Last update for Oshkosh, WI: June 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,343 in Chicago, IL versus $1,005 in Oshkosh, 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 42% 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 $101 in Chicago, IL versus $60.0 in Oshkosh, WI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $446 vs $301 – making Oshkosh, 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 Oshkosh, WI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $1,857 in Oshkosh, WI – roughly 68% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,675 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,785 in Oshkosh, WI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Oshkosh, 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 $101 in Chicago, IL and $60.0 in Oshkosh, WI. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 48% 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 Oshkosh, WI, where all-in costs run around $1,857, than in Chicago, IL at $3,117. In Oshkosh, 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 $1,857 in Oshkosh, WI to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Oshkosh, 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.