Cost of Living in Madison vs Chicago

Cost of living in Madison is 23% lower than in Chicago (without rent).

Rent in Madison is 19% cheaper than in Chicago.

Cost of living including rent in Madison is 21% lower than in Chicago.

Food in Madison is 17% cheaper than in Chicago.

Transport in Madison is 54% cheaper than in Chicago.

Madison vs. Chicago Comparision

Madison Chicago
Cost of Living, including rent
2,114 $
2,667 $
Without Rent
841 $
1,087 $
Rent & Utilities
1,274 $
1,579 $
Food
584 $
700 $
Transport
95 $
205 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
4,284 $
4,901 $
Quality of Life
82
96
Population
270.0K
2.8M

Compare other cities?

Madison Chicago

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
13.9 $ 21 $
Dinner, for 2 67.3 $ 87.3 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 9.64 $ 11.7 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 5.61 $ 7.62 $
Capuccino 5.89 $ 5.4 $
Coke, 330ml 2.42 $ 3.12 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.03 $ 1.02 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 3.6 $ 3.92 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.54 $ 5 $
Eggs, 12 pack 3.51 $ 3.69 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 13.5 $ 14.8 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 13.7 $ 12.8 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 17 $ 19.9 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.33 $ 4.97 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.31 $ 1.91 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.79 $ 4.81 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.18 $ 2.34 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.72 $ 3.08 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.12 $ 1.93 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.71 $ 2.86 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 13.2 $ 14.8 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.84 $ 2.9 $
Cigarette pack 9.89 $ 16.6 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 2.02 $ 2.49 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 61.8 $ 76.5 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 0.93 $ 1.12 $
Taxi, 8 km 23 $ 16.6 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 115 $ 126 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 8.05 $ 11.6 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 7.92 $ 6.03 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 3.58 $ 3.65 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.47 $ 1.81 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
106 $ 102 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
162 $ 156 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
61.3 $ 59.1 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 1,048 $ 1,280 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,847 $ 2,594 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,339 $ 1,974 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,545 $ 3,828 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 2,983 $ 3,554 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 2,403 $ 3,158 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 4,284 $ 4,901 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.49 % 6.61 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 54.5 $ 63.1 $
Cinema, 1 seat 13.7 $ 15 $
Haircut 20.1 $ 29.3 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 93.3 $ 95.5 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 58 $ 62.2 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,703 $ 2,457 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 24,777 $ 19,423 $