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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,134 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,676 in Wausau, WI, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,618 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,703 in Wausau, WI, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,101 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,731 in Wausau, WI, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 87% more than Wausau, WI, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Wausau, WI sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 129%, Wausau, WI by 22%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.56 $20.56

$20.18 $20.18

1.88%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$84.2 $84.2

$75.9 $75.9

11.03%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.56 $13.56

$8.60 $8.60

57.67%

Cappuccino

$5.78 $5.78

$5.04 $5.04

14.68%

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

$2.72 $2.72

$2.80 $2.80

-2.86%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$1.94 $1.94

21.13%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.98 $6.98

$5.48 $5.48

27.37%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.74 $8.74

$5.40 $5.40

61.85%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$0.89 $0.89

46.07%

White Bread (500g)

$3.92 $3.92

$2.79 $2.79

40.50%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.70 $5.70

$6.33 $6.33

-9.95%

Eggs

$4.75 $4.75

$3.64 $3.64

30.49%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.08 $14.08

$9.07 $9.07

55.24%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.66 $14.66

$6.42 $6.42

128.35%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.96 $18.96

$13.51 $13.51

40.34%

Apples (1kg)

$4.96 $4.96

$4.26 $4.26

16.43%

Banana (1kg)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.48 $1.48

37.16%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.05 $4.05

$4.04 $4.04

0.25%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$4.10 $4.10

23.66%

Potato (1kg)

$2.85 $2.85

$1.82 $1.82

56.59%

Onion (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.45 $2.45

4.49%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.20 $2.20

12.27%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.96 $2.96

$0.98 $0.98

202.04%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.05 $16.05

$8.52 $8.52

88.38%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.16 $15.16

$8.96 $8.96

69.20%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.96 $1.96

30.10%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.49 $3.49

$2.23 $2.23

56.50%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.47 $2.47

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.1 $76.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.17 $3.17

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.82 $19.82

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$0.86 $0.86

32.56%

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

$36.8K $36.8K

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

$25.4K $25.4K

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

$192 $192

$127 $127

50.58%

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

$69.4 $69.4

$46.51 $46.51

49.22%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.4 $61.4

$44.70 $44.70

37.32%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$61.4 $61.4

$30.55 $30.55

100.98%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.37 $27.37

Cinema Ticket

$17.87 $17.87

$5.89 $5.89

203.40%

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

$1,544 $1,544

$1,736 $1,736

-11.09%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$30.7K $30.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.9 $62.9

$24.67 $24.67

154.93%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.7 $52.7

$63.3 $63.3

-16.70%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.3 $98.3

$64.3 $64.3

52.84%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$150 $150

$84.4 $84.4

78.26%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,444 $2,444

$932 $932

162.23%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,677 $1,677

$697 $697

140.48%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,667 $4,667

$1,556 $1,556

199.87%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,720 $2,720

$1,389 $1,389

95.85%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,117 $4,117

$1,678 $1,678

145.28%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,737 $2,737

$1,658 $1,658

65.08%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,809 $4,809

$3,482 $3,482

38.12%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.12

4.25%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 15, 2026

Last update for Wausau, WI: August 16, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,444 in Chicago, IL versus $932 in Wausau, 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 38% 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 $84.0 in Chicago, IL versus $76.0 in Wausau, WI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $454 vs $306 – making Wausau, 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 Wausau, WI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,134 in Chicago, IL, $1,676 in Wausau, WI – roughly 87% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,701 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,514 in Wausau, WI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Wausau, 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 $84.0 in Chicago, IL and $76.0 in Wausau, 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 Wausau, WI, where all-in costs run around $1,676, than in Chicago, IL at $3,134. In Wausau, 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 $1,676 in Wausau, WI to $3,134 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 Wausau, 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.