Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and River Falls, WI Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and River Falls, WI

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,643 in River Falls, WI, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,864 in River Falls, WI, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,086 in River Falls, WI, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 18% more than River Falls, WI, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and River Falls, WI sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, River Falls, WI by 92%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.86 $19.86

$20.85 $20.85

-4.75%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$80.8 $80.8

9.28%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.23 $13.23

$12.24 $12.24

8.09%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$6.27 $6.27

-6.54%

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

$2.61 $2.61

$3.00 $3.00

-13.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$2.33 $2.33

-0.43%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 $7.03

$6.88 $6.88

2.18%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.25 $9.25

$8.15 $8.15

13.50%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.84 $0.84

59.52%

White Bread (500g)

$4.19 $4.19

$3.56 $3.56

17.70%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$7.01 $7.01

-21.54%

Eggs

$4.71 $4.71

$4.00 $4.00

17.75%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$10.25 $10.25

43.61%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$14.24 $14.24

2.04%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$19.36 $19.36

1.70%

Apples (1kg)

$5.64 $5.64

$5.94 $5.94

-5.05%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.89 $1.89

4.23%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$6.70 $6.70

-39.70%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$5.08 $5.08

-0.20%

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$4.43 $4.43

-33.63%

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$3.94 $3.94

-25.89%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.36 $2.36

-3.39%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.66 $2.66

17.29%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.19 $16.19

$13.18 $13.18

22.84%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$15.88 $15.88

-4.47%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.77 $2.77

-3.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$5.83 $5.83

-40.31%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.86 $1.86

36.56%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 $3.16

$5.13 $5.13

-38.40%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.74 $1.74

-21.26%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.66 $22.66

$23.67 $23.67

-4.27%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$1.02 $1.02

17.65%

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

$37.0K $37.0K

$36.2K $36.2K

2.19%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.5K $25.5K

1.98%

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

$190 $190

$159 $159

19.14%

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

$68.5 $68.5

$55.8 $55.8

22.66%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$68.5 $68.5

-10.81%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

$37.03 $37.03

72.24%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$18.28 $18.28

$15.82 $15.82

15.55%

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

$1,525 $1,525

$1,368 $1,368

11.46%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.0K $32.0K

$35.6K $35.6K

-10.14%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$59.0 $59.0

8.45%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.4 $54.4

$44.23 $44.23

22.99%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$98.7 $98.7

1.94%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$108 $108

42.61%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,421 $2,421

$1,810 $1,810

33.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,690 $1,690

$1,434 $1,434

17.83%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,584 $4,584

$2,322 $2,322

97.40%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,782 $2,782

$1,879 $1,879

48.07%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

$3,123 $3,123

33.53%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

$2,504 $2,504

9.37%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,777 $4,777

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.27

1.75%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Last update for River Falls, WI: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $1,810 in River Falls, WI. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $81.0 in River Falls, WI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $461 – making River Falls, 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 River Falls, WI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $2,643 in River Falls, WI – roughly 18% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,964 in River Falls, WI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in River Falls, 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 $81.0 in River Falls, WI. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 1% 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.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,106 in Chicago, IL and $2,643 in River Falls, WI. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,643 in River Falls, WI to $3,106 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 River Falls, 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.