🙂A single person spends $1,624 per month in Rijeka vs $1,744 in Wausau, WI, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,498 per month in Rijeka vs $2,700 in Wausau, WI, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $3,373 per month in Rijeka vs $3,657 in Wausau, WI, rent included.
🙂Rijeka is about 7% cheaper than Wausau, WI, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Rijeka and Wausau, WI sit above the global median – Rijeka by 18%, Wausau, WI by 27%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rijeka
Wausau, WI
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.89€11.95
$19.69$19.69
-29.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.2€63.9
$74.9$74.9
-0.93%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.57€9.10
$8.60$8.60
22.91%
Cappuccino
$2.34€2.01
$4.93$4.93
-52.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.19€2.75
$2.81$2.81
13.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.00€1.72
$1.98$1.98
1.01%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.92€3.37
$5.53$5.53
-29.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.58€3.94
$5.53$5.53
-17.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rijeka
Wausau, WI
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.23€1.06
$0.92$0.92
33.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.66€1.43
$2.87$2.87
-42.16%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.54€3.05
$6.42$6.42
-44.86%
Eggs
$3.86€3.32
$3.72$3.72
3.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.83€14.48
$8.97$8.97
87.63%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.43€8.97
$6.69$6.69
55.90%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.69€12.64
$13.93$13.93
5.46%
Apples(1kg)
$1.75€1.51
$4.24$4.24
-58.73%
Banana(1kg)
$1.80€1.54
$1.53$1.53
17.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.91€1.64
$3.98$3.98
-52.01%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.66€2.28
$4.16$4.16
-36.06%
Potato(1kg)
$1.43€1.23
$1.82$1.82
-21.43%
Onion(1kg)
$1.31€1.13
$2.54$2.54
-48.43%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.36€1.17
$2.19$2.19
-37.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
$0.99$0.99
38.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.14€5.29
$8.52$8.52
-27.93%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.16€7.03
$9.10$9.10
-10.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.65€1.42
$2.04$2.04
-19.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21€1.90
$2.22$2.22
-0.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Rijeka
Wausau, WI
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.29€1.97
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$56.7€48.82
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.76€4.95
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.48€1.28
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.41€25.31
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.95€1.68
$0.83$0.83
134.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.4K€23.6K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8K€22.2K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rijeka
Wausau, WI
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$192€166
$155$155
24.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.89€21.41
$46.09$46.09
-46.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.70€35.03
$44.29$44.29
-8.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rijeka
Wausau, WI
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$55.5€47.78
$29.96$29.96
85.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.44€9.85
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.00€6.03
$5.87$5.87
19.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rijeka
Wausau, WI
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$558€480
$1,719$1,719
-67.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.2K€11.3K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rijeka
Wausau, WI
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104€89.4
$24.78$24.78
319.17%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.90€36.92
$63.4$63.4
-32.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105€90.6
$65.1$65.1
61.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115€98.7
$85.5$85.5
34.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rijeka
Wausau, WI
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$727€626
$920$920
-20.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$554€477
$699$699
-20.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,237€1,065
$1,573$1,573
-21.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$892€768
$1,383$1,383
-35.47%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,274€3,678
$1,699$1,699
151.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,159€3,579
$1,722$1,722
141.50%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rijeka
Wausau, WI
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,525€1,312
$3,487$3,487
-56.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.73
6.12
-39.05%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rijeka: August 31, 2026
Last update for Wausau, WI: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $727 in Rijeka versus $920 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 129% higher in Wausau, WI, 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 $74.0 in Rijeka versus $75.0 in Wausau, WI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $303 vs $312 – making Rijeka 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
Rijeka vs Wausau, WI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wausau, WI cheaper than Rijeka?
Yes – Wausau, WI is pricier by about 7%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,435 per month in Rijeka and $2,616 in Wausau, WI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Rijeka, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Rijeka and in Wausau, WI?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,624 in Rijeka and $1,744 in Wausau, WI. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $558 per month in Rijeka and $1,719 in Wausau, WI. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Rijeka or in Wausau, WI?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Rijeka, where all-in costs run around $1,624, than in Wausau, WI at $1,744. In Rijeka it covers expenses comfortably, while in Wausau, WI it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Rijeka or Wausau, WI more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Rijeka – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Rijeka or Wausau, WI?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Rijeka. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Wausau, WI makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.