CityCost App
Cost of living in 8000+ cities on the go.

Cost of Living in Waukegan, IL - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,046 (excluding rent), and $2,530 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,535 (excluding rent), and $4,911 including rent.
Currency
Do you live in Waukegan, IL? Add cost details
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.77 $18.77
$11.85 $11.85
$34.57 $34.57
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.6 $73.6
$49.04 $49.04
$123 $123
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.89 $10.89
$9.90 $9.90
$13.86 $13.86
Cappuccino
$5.11 $5.11
$3.52 $3.52
$8.04 $8.04
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62 $2.62
$2.06 $2.06
$4.12 $4.12
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 $1.96
$1.47 $1.47
$2.94 $2.94
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.90 $5.90
$3.93 $3.93
$7.86 $7.86
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.20 $7.20
$5.14 $5.14
$10.28 $10.28
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$0.77 $0.77
$1.47 $1.47
White Bread (500g)
$3.48 $3.48
$2.06 $2.06
$5.46 $5.46
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.25 $4.25
$2.06 $2.06
$8.48 $8.48
Eggs
$4.22 $4.22
$2.03 $2.03
$7.12 $7.12
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.23 $12.23
$6.99 $6.99
$22.00 $22.00
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.41 $11.41
$6.12 $6.12
$19.81 $19.81
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.66 $15.66
$10.07 $10.07
$24.61 $24.61
Apples (1kg)
$4.82 $4.82
$2.52 $2.52
$8.70 $8.70
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 $1.59
$1.09 $1.09
$4.14 $4.14
Oranges (1kg)
$4.35 $4.35
$2.25 $2.25
$9.03 $9.03
Tomato (1kg)
$4.85 $4.85
$2.27 $2.27
$9.06 $9.06
Potato (1kg)
$2.87 $2.87
$1.34 $1.34
$6.22 $6.22
Onion (1kg)
$2.87 $2.87
$1.86 $1.86
$4.49 $4.49
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.04 $2.04
$1.38 $1.38
$2.98 $2.98
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.16 $2.16
$1.21 $1.21
$3.29 $3.29
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.40 $9.40
$7.85 $7.85
$11.77 $11.77
Wine (Bottle)
$13.78 $13.78
$8.86 $8.86
$21.65 $21.65
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.85 $1.85
$1.77 $1.77
$2.92 $2.92
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28 $3.28
$1.56 $1.56
$5.85 $5.85
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.03 $2.03
$1.27 $1.27
$2.03 $2.03
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.48 $3.48
$2.99 $2.99
$4.98 $4.98
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.66 $1.66
$1.59 $1.59
$2.22 $2.22
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.76 $29.76
$26.92 $26.92
$35.68 $35.68
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.83 $0.83
$0.74 $0.74
$0.96 $0.96
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.3K $29.3K
$23.4K $23.4K
$35.7K $35.7K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.7K $25.7K
$25.1K $25.1K
$27.1K $27.1K
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$190 $190
$122 $122
$348 $348
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.7 $52.7
$29.90 $29.90
$99.7 $99.7
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$67.9 $67.9
$50.3 $50.3
$101 $101
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.03 $43.03
$17.51 $17.51
$50.0 $50.0
Cinema Ticket
$13.70 $13.70
$11.17 $11.17
$18.27 $18.27
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,300 $1,300
$1,002 $1,002
$1,850 $1,850
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.5K $23.5K
$16.8K $16.8K
$27.3K $27.3K
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.9 $51.9
$30.56 $30.56
$81.5 $81.5
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.67 $40.67
$25.42 $25.42
$66.1 $66.1
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.4 $85.4
$59.1 $59.1
$128 $128
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$65.2 $65.2
$204 $204
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,630 $1,630
$1,221 $1,221
$1,889 $1,889
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,335 $1,335
$986 $986
$1,480 $1,480
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,649 $2,649
$2,014 $2,014
$3,022 $3,022
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,212 $2,212
$1,692 $1,692
$2,489 $2,489
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,717 $2,717
$1,927 $1,927
$2,717 $2,717
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,465 $2,465
$1,900 $1,900
$2,465 $2,465
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
6.19
7

CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 10, 2026

Waukegan, IL Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Download
325
Mbps
Upload
25
Mbps
Latency
24
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
324
Mbps
Upload
70
Mbps
Latency
13
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
City tags:
Cost of Living in Waukegan, IL - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Waukegan compare in terms of affordability for travelers and expats?
Waukegan offers a mix of affordable neighborhoods and access to major job centers, which can translate to a reasonable overall living cost for shorter stays and longer relocations. For many, Cost of Living in Waukegan, IL, United States balances lower housing burdens with everyday expenses like groceries and dining out that are generally more budget-friendly than central Chicago. Youโ€™ll find transportation options โ€“ from metered buses to car commuting โ€“ supporting predictable monthly costs, especially if you plan around off-peak travel. Use local markets, community events, and seasonal discounts to stretch your budget. Tip: Map out a monthly plan that accounts for housing, utilities, transport, and leisure.
What should I expect for daily life in terms of housing, food options, transport, and practical ways to work while there?
Youโ€™ll find a mix of rental apartments, older single-family homes, and small duplexes, mainly along the lakefront and downtown. When searching housing, consider utility-included units to simplify budgeting and check proximity to Metra lines for easier commutes. Daily life centers on accessible groceries, casual eateries, and coffee spots suitable for remote work. Transit is a blend of rail access to Chicago and local bus services, with bike-friendly streets in several neighborhoods. For budgeting context: Waukegan, IL, United States living cost. Tip: visit neighborhoods at different times to gauge noise, safety, and convenience.
What quality-of-life improvements, budgeting frameworks, and seasonal considerations help you choose the right neighborhood and save on costs?
Quality of life in Waukegan hinges on choosing a neighborhood that fits your rhythm, from lakefront strolls to a compact downtown with easy errands. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate fixed costs (housing, utilities) from flexible ones (groceries, dining, entertainment) and adjust with the seasons, especially for heating in winter and cooling in summer. Save by shopping at local markets, taking part in community events, and favoring transit or biking for shorter trips. If youโ€™re deciding where to stay long-term, visit neighborhoods at different times to gauge noise, safety, and access to services. Tip: track actual costs for a couple of months to refine your budget before committing.
Join the CityCost newsletter โ€“ low traffic, no spam, and easy to unsubscribe. Your email stays private.