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2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Chicago, IL vs Wausau, WI

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Wausau or is it cheaper to live in Chicago?
- Wausau is 19.9% less expensive than Chicago.

Which city has more affordable housing, Wausau or Chicago?
- Wausau housing costs are 41.8% less expensive than Chicago housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Chicago or is Health Care more affordable in Wausau.
- Health related expenses are 11.7% more in Wausau.
 Chicago, ILWausau, WIUnited States
 Overall105.784.7100
 Food & Groceries97.291.6100
 Health88.098.3100
 Housing99.858.1100
 Median Home Cost$284,100$174,800$338,100
 Utilities9,280.0%9,430.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation138.575.8100
 Miscellaneous139.8116.3100

100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Chicago    271 Reviews

I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

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Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

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I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  More

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Reviews for Wausau    6 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

I visited Wausau during the summer and it was a very nice change from Phoenix. The people were friendly & helpful. It was a little humid than what I’m used to but  More

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Beautiful area geographically but beneath that beauty are some of the most overly conservative, unfriendly, judgemental people anywhere. Very hard to make friends here  More

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I LIVED IN WAUSAU WI OVER 23 YEARS AGO. I RELOCATED TO WYOMING IN 1990 FOR GOVERMENT POSITION. NOW RETIRED FROM FEDERAL SERVICE, I WILL BE MOVING BACK TO THE UPPER  More

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ZIPS IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
60629, 60618, 60632, 60639, 60623, 60647, 60617, 60625, 60608, 60634, 56 total
ZIPS IN WAUSAU, WISCONSIN
54401 54403

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