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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,724 per month in Norwalk, CT vs $3,184 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,458 per month in Norwalk, CT vs $4,725 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,192 per month in Norwalk, CT vs $6,266 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Norwalk, CT costs about 17% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Norwalk, CT and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Norwalk, CT by 170%, Chicago, IL by 131%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.30 $20.30

$20.26 $20.26

0.20%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.3 $79.3

$88.8 $88.8

-10.72%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.89 $11.89

$13.16 $13.16

-9.65%

Cappuccino

$5.58 $5.58

$5.77 $5.77

-3.29%

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

$2.57 $2.57

$2.63 $2.63

-2.28%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.08 $2.08

$2.34 $2.34

-11.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.11 $8.11

$7.06 $7.06

14.87%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.82 $8.82

$9.18 $9.18

-3.92%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.30 $1.30

-10.00%

White Bread (500g)

$4.18 $4.18

$4.05 $4.05

3.21%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.49 $4.49

$5.69 $5.69

-21.09%

Eggs

$3.66 $3.66

$4.85 $4.85

-24.54%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.60 $16.60

$15.08 $15.08

10.08%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.47 $16.47

$14.87 $14.87

10.76%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.93 $19.93

$19.28 $19.28

3.37%

Apples (1kg)

$4.61 $4.61

$5.68 $5.68

-18.84%

Banana (1kg)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.93 $1.93

18.13%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.74 $3.74

$4.10 $4.10

-8.78%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.83 $4.83

$5.11 $5.11

-5.48%

Potato (1kg)

$3.95 $3.95

$2.92 $2.92

35.27%

Onion (1kg)

$3.24 $3.24

$2.77 $2.77

16.97%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.06 $2.06

$2.30 $2.30

-10.43%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$3.04 $3.04

-22.70%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.81 $12.81

$15.93 $15.93

-19.59%

Wine (Bottle)

$21.41 $21.41

$15.06 $15.06

42.16%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.08 $2.08

$2.53 $2.53

-17.79%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.26 $3.26

$3.48 $3.48

-6.32%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.70 $1.70

$2.53 $2.53

-32.81%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$70.0 $70.0

$74.8 $74.8

-6.35%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.97 $1.97

$3.28 $3.28

-39.94%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.36 $1.36

55.15%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$41.86 $41.86

$22.55 $22.55

85.63%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.99 $0.99

$1.22 $1.22

-18.85%

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

$23.3K $23.3K

$36.1K $36.1K

-35.51%

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

$25.2K $25.2K

$26.0K $26.0K

-3.11%

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

$244 $244

$188 $188

29.37%

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

$55.0 $55.0

$69.0 $69.0

-20.33%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$50.7 $50.7

$63.6 $63.6

-20.16%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.54 $30.54

$63.4 $63.4

-51.86%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$30.17 $30.17

$27.11 $27.11

11.29%

Cinema Ticket

$14.57 $14.57

$17.90 $17.90

-18.60%

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

$1,993 $1,993

$1,526 $1,526

30.57%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$34.1K $34.1K

$31.9K $31.9K

7.07%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.78 $48.78

$62.1 $62.1

-21.41%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$20.29 $20.29

$56.4 $56.4

-64.01%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$114 $114

$101 $101

12.84%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$120 $120

$156 $156

-22.92%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,492 $2,492

$2,342 $2,342

6.37%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,312 $2,312

$1,698 $1,698

36.12%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,301 $4,301

$4,576 $4,576

-6.00%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,001 $4,001

$2,806 $2,806

42.59%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,815 $4,815

$4,130 $4,130

16.58%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,881 $3,881

$2,740 $2,740

41.68%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,221 $5,221

$4,891 $4,891

6.75%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.9

6.38

-7.52%

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

Last update for Norwalk, CT: September 5, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,492 in Norwalk, CT versus $2,342 in Chicago, IL. 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 7% higher in Norwalk, CT, 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 $79.0 in Norwalk, CT versus $89.0 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $469 in Norwalk, CT vs $465 in Chicago, IL – so Chicago, IL wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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

Norwalk, CT vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,724 in Norwalk, CT, $3,184 in Chicago, IL – roughly 17% apart. Norwalk, CT costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,586 per month in Norwalk, CT and $4,776 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Chicago, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 1% more in Norwalk, CT, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $79.0 in Norwalk, CT and $89.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,724 in Norwalk, CT and $3,184 in Chicago, IL. 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 $3,184 in Chicago, IL to $3,724 in Norwalk, CT. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Norwalk, CT makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.