Cost of Living Comparison Between Norwalk, CT and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Norwalk, CT and Chicago, IL

🙂 Solo nomad: Norwalk, CT is 11.3% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 5.7% more expensive with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Norwalk, CT is 27.3% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 17.6% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Norwalk, CT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.31 $16.31
$20.82 $20.82
-21.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.6 $75.6
$100 $100
-24.64%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.87 $9.87
$11.97 $11.97
-17.54%
Cappuccino
$5.9 $5.9
$5.56 $5.56
6.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 $2.84
$3.11 $3.11
-8.68%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02 $2.02
$2.42 $2.42
-16.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.14 $8.14
$6.86 $6.86
18.66%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.24 $8.24
$8.45 $8.45
-2.49%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Norwalk, CT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.98 $0.98
$1.04 $1.04
-5.77%
White Bread (500g)
$4.75 $4.75
$4.15 $4.15
14.46%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$6.38 $6.38
$5.52 $5.52
15.58%
Eggs
$5.36 $5.36
$4.65 $4.65
15.27%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.92 $13.92
$14.33 $14.33
-2.86%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.43 $12.43
$14.88 $14.88
-16.47%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.21 $15.21
$19.34 $19.34
-21.35%
Apples (1kg)
$3.66 $3.66
$5.17 $5.17
-29.21%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 $1.55
$1.71 $1.71
-9.36%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$4.41 $4.41
25.17%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.3 $6.3
$4.51 $4.51
39.69%
Potato (1kg)
$2.79 $2.79
$2.53 $2.53
10.28%
Onion (1kg)
$3.08 $3.08
$2.74 $2.74
12.41%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.65 $2.65
$2.43 $2.43
9.05%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.29 $2.29
$2.7 $2.7
-15.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.1 $13.1
$15.19 $15.19
-13.76%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.8 $18.8
$16.42 $16.42
14.49%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.52 $2.52
$2.35 $2.35
7.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 $3.65
$3.7 $3.7
-1.35%
🚌 Getting Around
Norwalk, CT
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.98 $1.98
$2.53 $2.53
-21.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.1 $74.1
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.08 $3.08
$3.34 $3.34
-7.78%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.04 $2.04
$1.42 $1.42
43.66%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$42.42 $42.42
$25.42 $25.42
66.88%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$1.08 $1.08
-12.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$32.4K $32.4K
-21.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.8K $23.8K
$26.2K $26.2K
-9.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Norwalk, CT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$162 $162
$188 $188
-13.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.62 $34.62
$63.7 $63.7
-45.65%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$44.3 $44.3
$65.2 $65.2
-32.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Norwalk, CT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.44 $43.44
$76.7 $76.7
-43.38%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.36 $14.36
$14.93 $14.93
-3.82%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Norwalk, CT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,941 $1,941
$2,063 $2,063
-5.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.2K $14.2K
$39.2K $39.2K
-63.85%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Norwalk, CT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.8 $61.8
$64.3 $64.3
-3.93%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.8 $59.8
$52.4 $52.4
14.18%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$110 $110
$95.2 $95.2
15.68%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$134 $134
$145 $145
-7.49%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Norwalk, CT
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,256 $2,256
$2,378 $2,378
-5.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,974 $1,974
$1,584 $1,584
24.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,673 $2,673
$4,763 $4,763
-43.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,191 $2,191
$2,815 $2,815
-22.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,856 $3,856
$3,588 $3,588
7.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,847 $3,847
$2,490 $2,490
54.50%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Norwalk, CT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,795 $5,795
$5,275 $5,275
9.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.6
-2.27%

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

Last update for Norwalk, CT: October 28, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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