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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,037 (excluding rent), and $2,621 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,578 (excluding rent), and $5,023 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.81 $18.81

$11.88 $11.88

$34.66 $34.66

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$74.1 $74.1

$49.39 $49.39

$123 $123

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.13 $11.13

$10.12 $10.12

$14.17 $14.17

Cappuccino

$4.97 $4.97

$3.42 $3.42

$7.82 $7.82

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

$2.52 $2.52

$1.99 $1.99

$3.97 $3.97

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 $2.06

$1.54 $1.54

$3.09 $3.09

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.91 $5.91

$3.94 $3.94

$7.88 $7.88

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.9 $6.9

$4.93 $4.93

$9.85 $9.85

Milk (1 liter)

$1.01 $1.01

$0.75 $0.75

$1.44 $1.44

White Bread (500g)

$3.55 $3.55

$2.11 $2.11

$5.58 $5.58

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.18 $4.18

$2.03 $2.03

$8.34 $8.34

Eggs

$4.24 $4.24

$2.04 $2.04

$7.15 $7.15

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.45 $12.45

$7.11 $7.11

$22.39 $22.39

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.6 $11.6

$6.22 $6.22

$20.14 $20.14

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.37 $15.37

$9.88 $9.88

$24.15 $24.15

Apples (1kg)

$4.74 $4.74

$2.48 $2.48

$8.56 $8.56

Banana (1kg)

$1.58 $1.58

$1.09 $1.09

$4.13 $4.13

Oranges (1kg)

$4.14 $4.14

$2.14 $2.14

$8.59 $8.59

Tomato (1kg)

$4.67 $4.67

$2.18 $2.18

$8.72 $8.72

Potato (1kg)

$2.9 $2.9

$1.35 $1.35

$6.29 $6.29

Onion (1kg)

$2.8 $2.8

$1.82 $1.82

$4.38 $4.38

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.07 $2.07

$1.4 $1.4

$3.02 $3.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.1 $2.1

$1.18 $1.18

$3.19 $3.19

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.83 $9.83

$8.2 $8.2

$12.3 $12.3

Wine (Bottle)

$13.75 $13.75

$8.84 $8.84

$21.61 $21.61

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.84 $1.84

$1.76 $1.76

$2.9 $2.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.4 $3.4

$1.62 $1.62

$6.08 $6.08

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.22 $1.22

$1.96 $1.96

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.6 $3.6

$3.08 $3.08

$5.14 $5.14

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.59 $1.59

$1.52 $1.52

$2.13 $2.13

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.08 $29.08

$26.3 $26.3

$34.86 $34.86

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.9 $0.9

$0.8 $0.8

$1.04 $1.04

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

$29.5K $29.5K

$23.6K $23.6K

$35.9K $35.9K

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

$25.3K $25.3K

$24.7K $24.7K

$26.7K $26.7K

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

$190 $190

$121 $121

$347 $347

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

$52.9 $52.9

$30.03 $30.03

$100 $100

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$49.52 $49.52

$99 $99

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.68 $43.68

$17.78 $17.78

$50.8 $50.8

Cinema Ticket

$13.73 $13.73

$11.19 $11.19

$18.3 $18.3

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

$1,291 $1,291

$995 $995

$1,837 $1,837

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.1K $23.1K

$16.5K $16.5K

$26.8K $26.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.3 $50.3

$29.63 $29.63

$79 $79

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.48 $39.48

$24.68 $24.68

$64.2 $64.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.2 $87.2

$60.4 $60.4

$131 $131

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$110 $110

$63.1 $63.1

$197 $197

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,615 $1,615

$1,210 $1,210

$1,873 $1,873

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,327 $1,327

$980 $980

$1,471 $1,471

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,599 $2,599

$1,976 $1,976

$2,964 $2,964

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,210 $2,210

$1,691 $1,691

$2,486 $2,486

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,803 $2,803

$1,988 $1,988

$2,803 $2,803

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,429 $2,429

$1,872 $1,872

$2,429 $2,429

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.19

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

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Cost of Living in Waukegan, IL - Frequently Asked Questions

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. You’ll find transportation options – from metered buses to car commuting – 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.

You’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.

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 you’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.