Cost of Living Comparison Between Abilene, TX and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Abilene, TX and Chicago, IL

πŸ™‚ Solo nomad: Abilene, TX is 12.8% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 30.5% cheaper with rent.
πŸ™‚ Family of 3: Abilene, TX is 27.7% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 33% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Abilene, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.6 $13.6
$20.82 $20.82
-34.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$55.2 $55.2
$100 $100
-45.01%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.98 $8.98
$11.97 $11.97
-24.98%
Cappuccino
$4.88 $4.88
$5.56 $5.56
-12.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 $1.86
$3.11 $3.11
-40.19%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93 $1.93
$2.42 $2.42
-20.25%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.96 $3.96
$6.86 $6.86
-42.27%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.77 $7.77
$8.45 $8.45
-8.05%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Abilene, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.84 $0.84
$1.04 $1.04
-19.23%
White Bread (500g)
$2.86 $2.86
$4.15 $4.15
-31.08%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5 $5
$5.52 $5.52
-9.42%
Eggs
$8.02 $8.02
$4.65 $4.65
72.47%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.74 $11.74
$14.33 $14.33
-18.07%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10 $10
$14.88 $14.88
-32.80%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.47 $13.47
$19.34 $19.34
-30.35%
Apples (1kg)
$4.67 $4.67
$5.17 $5.17
-9.67%
Banana (1kg)
$1.45 $1.45
$1.71 $1.71
-15.20%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.27 $4.27
$4.41 $4.41
-3.17%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.39 $3.39
$4.51 $4.51
-24.83%
Potato (1kg)
$3.59 $3.59
$2.53 $2.53
41.90%
Onion (1kg)
$3.02 $3.02
$2.74 $2.74
10.22%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.2 $2.2
$2.43 $2.43
-9.47%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.26 $3.26
$2.7 $2.7
20.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.46 $8.46
$15.19 $15.19
-44.31%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.02 $15.02
$16.42 $16.42
-8.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.7 $1.7
$2.35 $2.35
-27.66%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94 $2.94
$3.7 $3.7
-20.54%
🚌 Getting Around
Abilene, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.53 $1.53
$2.53 $2.53
-39.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$45.82 $45.82
$74.1 $74.1
-38.19%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.94 $2.94
$3.34 $3.34
-11.98%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.72 $1.72
$1.42 $1.42
21.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$57.3 $57.3
$25.42 $25.42
125.45%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.78 $0.78
$1.08 $1.08
-27.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K $29.9K
$32.4K $32.4K
-7.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.7K $22.7K
$26.2K $26.2K
-13.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Abilene, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$191 $191
$188 $188
1.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$46.88 $46.88
$63.7 $63.7
-26.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.3 $65.3
$65.2 $65.2
0.08%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Abilene, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$15.03 $15.03
$76.7 $76.7
-80.41%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.96 $11.96
$14.93 $14.93
-19.89%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Abilene, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$871 $871
$2,063 $2,063
-57.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.2K $23.2K
$39.2K $39.2K
-40.88%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Abilene, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.8 $54.8
$64.3 $64.3
-14.79%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.19 $35.19
$52.4 $52.4
-32.83%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.2 $88.2
$95.2 $95.2
-7.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108 $108
$145 $145
-25.60%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Abilene, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,109 $1,109
$2,378 $2,378
-53.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$900 $900
$1,584 $1,584
-43.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,715 $1,715
$4,763 $4,763
-63.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,599 $1,599
$2,815 $2,815
-43.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,660 $1,660
$3,588 $3,588
-53.73%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,668 $1,668
$2,490 $2,490
-33.03%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Abilene, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,620 $3,620
$5,275 $5,275
-31.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.49
6.6
-1.67%

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

Last update for Abilene, TX: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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