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

🙂 Solo nomad: Madison, WI is 8% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 5% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Madison, WI is 11.9% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 13.1% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Madison, WI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.94 $14.94
$20.82 $20.82
-28.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75 $75
$100 $100
-25.21%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.87 $10.87
$11.97 $11.97
-9.19%
Cappuccino
$5.3 $5.3
$5.56 $5.56
-4.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$3.11 $3.11
-13.18%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28 $2.28
$2.42 $2.42
-5.79%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.92 $5.92
$6.86 $6.86
-13.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.86 $6.86
$8.45 $8.45
-18.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Madison, WI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.88 $0.88
$1.04 $1.04
-15.38%
White Bread (500g)
$3.79 $3.79
$4.15 $4.15
-8.67%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.32 $5.32
$5.52 $5.52
-3.62%
Eggs
$4.07 $4.07
$4.65 $4.65
-12.47%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.68 $13.68
$14.33 $14.33
-4.54%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.08 $13.08
$14.88 $14.88
-12.10%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.17 $16.17
$19.34 $19.34
-16.39%
Apples (1kg)
$4.57 $4.57
$5.17 $5.17
-11.61%
Banana (1kg)
$1.54 $1.54
$1.71 $1.71
-9.94%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.8 $5.8
$4.41 $4.41
31.52%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.81 $4.81
$4.51 $4.51
6.65%
Potato (1kg)
$2.62 $2.62
$2.53 $2.53
3.56%
Onion (1kg)
$3.02 $3.02
$2.74 $2.74
10.22%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.95 $1.95
$2.43 $2.43
-19.75%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.03 $2.03
$2.7 $2.7
-24.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.89 $9.89
$15.19 $15.19
-34.89%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.19 $12.19
$16.42 $16.42
-25.76%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.38 $2.38
$2.35 $2.35
1.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.71 $4.71
$3.7 $3.7
27.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Madison, WI
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.96 $1.96
$2.53 $2.53
-22.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$62.4 $62.4
$74.1 $74.1
-15.81%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.46 $4.46
$3.34 $3.34
33.53%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.14 $2.14
$1.42 $1.42
50.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$42.61 $42.61
$25.42 $25.42
67.62%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.88 $0.88
$1.08 $1.08
-18.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.8K $24.8K
$32.4K $32.4K
-23.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$26.2K $26.2K
-2.73%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Madison, WI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$217 $217
$188 $188
15.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.9 $50.9
$63.7 $63.7
-20.17%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$73.7 $73.7
$65.2 $65.2
13.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Madison, WI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$63.6 $63.6
$76.7 $76.7
-17.13%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.52 $29.52
$13.03 $13.03
126.55%
Cinema Ticket
$14.88 $14.88
$14.93 $14.93
-0.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Madison, WI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,655 $1,655
$2,063 $2,063
-19.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$24.1K $24.1K
$39.2K $39.2K
-38.36%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Madison, WI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.1 $67.1
$64.3 $64.3
4.29%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.04 $49.04
$52.4 $52.4
-6.39%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$101 $101
$95.2 $95.2
5.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$133 $133
$145 $145
-8.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Madison, WI
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,687 $1,687
$2,378 $2,378
-29.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,459 $1,459
$1,584 $1,584
-7.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,027 $3,027
$4,763 $4,763
-36.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,440 $2,440
$2,815 $2,815
-13.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,925 $2,925
$3,588 $3,588
-18.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,414 $2,414
$2,490 $2,490
-3.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Madison, WI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,398 $4,398
$5,275 $5,275
-16.63%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.55
6.6
-0.76%

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

Last update for Madison, WI: October 27, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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