For one person, living costs in Oshkosh, WI are estimated at $1,719 a month, including rent and utilities – 37% below the national average. Rent and utilities take more than half of the total.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Oshkosh, WI actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends around $1,719 per month with rent, or $785 for everyday expenses alone.
$1,719 /mo
A couple spends around $2,605 per month with rent, or $1,359 for everyday expenses alone.
$2,605 /mo
A family of three spends around $3,491 per month with rent, or $1,934 without housing.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K$24.6K
$24.6K$24.6K
$24.6K$24.6K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.6K$25.6K
$25.6K$25.6K
$26.1K$26.1K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$176$176
$152$152
$203$203
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.8$52.8
$25.47$25.47
$131$131
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.7$51.7
$35.32$35.32
$95.9$95.9
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$28.51$28.51
$10.06$10.06
$45.28$45.28
Cinema Ticket
$11.11$11.11
$6.06$6.06
$16.16$16.16
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,484$1,484
$1,187$1,187
$1,781$1,781
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.47$40.47
$40.47$40.47
$75.9$75.9
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.7$88.7
$60.1$60.1
$110$110
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$975$975
$890$890
$1,017$1,017
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$758$758
$708$708
$809$809
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,880$1,880
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,381$1,381
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,017$2,017
$1,953$1,953
$2,050$2,050
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,998$1,998
$1,935$1,935
$2,030$2,030
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,644$3,644
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.43
6
7.58
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 19, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Oshkosh, WI$1,719
Oshkosh, WI$3,491
🏠Accommodation & Living
$758 44.1%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$299 * 17.4%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$280 16.3%
🍽Eating Out
$273 15.9%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$58 * 3.4%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$51 3%
🚌Getting Around
- * 0%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
🏠Accommodation & Living
$1.4K 39.6%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$707 * 20.3%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$333 9.5%
🍽Eating Out
$839 24%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$129 * 3.7%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$101 * 2.9%
🚌Getting Around
- * 0%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $975, dropping to $758 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 27% of the average salary ($3,644) – well above the 30% international benchmark.
💰The average net salary is $3,644 – comfortably above monthly costs of $1,719. Most workers can save and live well. A comfortable lifestyle typically starts at $2,579.
🛒Groceries cost around $299 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $59.0.
Cost Highlights
⭐Milk is cheaper than 94% of cities in North America
⭐Gym membership is cheaper than 90% of cities in North America
Low risk of other local infectious diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tick-borne encephalitis, Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and Sleeping sickness
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
English is commonly used in services, signage, and daily life
Cost of Living in Oshkosh, WI - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Cost of Living in Oshkosh, WI compare for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find it good value?
Overall, affordability in Oshkosh is pragmatic for short and longer stays. The Cost of Living in Oshkosh, WI sits between rural Midwest towns and larger metro areas, with housing options from rentals to older homes that feel homey. You can find reasonable prices on daily essentials compared with pricier coastal markets, while personal costs such as activities and dining reflect the regional Midwest rhythm. Seasonal events, university activity, and tourism influence prices intermittently, so budgeting around peak weeks helps. Neighborhood choice matters: downtown proximity means convenience but often higher rents, while fringe areas can offer steadier housing. Tip: build a simple monthly plan focusing on housing, groceries, transport, and activities to gauge fit.
What does daily life look like in Oshkosh for housing, food, transport, and work-friendly spaces?
During a typical day, you’ll tailor your routine to your location and budget. Start by scanning neighborhoods like Downtown or near the river for a balance of walkability and prices, then consider quieter pockets with larger rentals. Food shopping spans big-box stores, local grocers, and seasonal farmers markets, which can trim daily costs. For transport, a car is common, but a growing bike network and a dependable bus service help your commuting and errands. Co-working spaces or cafes with reliable Wi-Fi offer flexible work setups for digital nomads. Oshkosh, WI living cost varies by area and lifestyle, so test a few neighborhoods before committing. Tip: track transit, groceries, and utility usage to spot savings opportunities.
Which neighborhoods fit different lifestyles and what budgeting approach helps you maximize quality of life in Oshkosh?
Quality of life in Oshkosh, WI blends small-city charm with active outdoors and culture. To tailor value, map your weeks around groceries, gym, and cafe routines, then try a few neighborhoods to feel the vibe – Downtown for events and transit access, riverside areas for outdoor spaces, or quieter outskirts for family-friendly streets. A practical budgeting framework centers on steady essentials first, flexible activities second, and saving as a habit. Seasonal events, farmers markets, and summer festivals shape both mood and spending, so plan ahead and use shared spaces like libraries or coworking centers during busy weeks. Tip: build a simple monthly checklist to track recurring costs and adjust as you settle in.
Is Oshkosh, WI expensive to live in?
Oshkosh, WI sits squarely in the middle of the price spectrum – not cheap, not expensive. Monthly costs with rent tend to hover around $1,719, which most working professionals can handle without feeling financially squeezed.
What percentage of income goes to rent in Oshkosh, WI?
Housing in Oshkosh, WI takes a heavy bite – about 27% of a typical income, which is above the 30% international benchmark. That squeezes the budget for everything else and is one of the main pain points for residents here.
What is the average salary in Oshkosh, WI?
After taxes, the average worker in Oshkosh, WI takes home about $3,644 per month. Of course, that varies a lot by industry and experience – tech and finance pay well above this, while service jobs often fall below it.
Is rent high in Oshkosh, WI?
Rent in Oshkosh, WI is middle-of-the-road – 1-bedroom apartments fall between $758 and $975 per month. Not cheap, not outrageous, with reasonable options across most neighborhoods.
How expensive is a gym membership in Oshkosh, WI?
Expect to pay about $28.51 per month for a gym in Oshkosh, WI – on par with the regional average. That typically gets you weights, cardio machines, and group classes. Boutique studios, yoga centers, and personal trainers charge extra.
How much does childcare cost in Oshkosh, WI?
Private kindergarten in Oshkosh, WI costs about $1,484 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
Can a person live on $2,000 monthly in Oshkosh, WI?
$2,000 is below the $1,719 average in Oshkosh, WI, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
Is Oshkosh, WI a good city for expats?
Oshkosh, WI has an established expat community and is welcoming to foreigners. fast internet, clean air, family-friendly facilities smooth the transition, and English-speaking landlords, expat-focused healthcare, and international services are all reasonably accessible. Monthly costs average $1,719 including housing.
How affordable is Oshkosh, WI?
Oshkosh, WI is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,719, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.
Oshkosh, WI vs other spots: cost of living compared