😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,659 in Anna, TX versus $3,077 in Chicago, IL.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,385 in Anna, TX versus $4,628 in Chicago, IL.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,112 in Anna, TX versus $6,179 in Chicago, IL.
😐Living in Anna, TX is roughly 19% more expensive than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Anna, TX173% above, Chicago, IL130% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Anna, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.77$14.77
$20.91$20.91
-29.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.8$79.8
$98.1$98.1
-18.69%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.97$10.97
$11.86$11.86
-7.50%
Cappuccino
$5.35$5.35
$5.60$5.60
-4.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.60$2.60
$3.07$3.07
-15.31%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.91$1.91
$2.47$2.47
-22.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.01$6.01
$7.14$7.14
-15.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.01$6.01
$8.08$8.08
-25.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Anna, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.13$1.13
$1.05$1.05
7.62%
White Bread(500g)
$2.80$2.80
$4.11$4.11
-31.87%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.14$4.14
$5.61$5.61
-26.20%
Eggs
$3.75$3.75
$4.51$4.51
-16.85%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.39$11.39
$14.27$14.27
-20.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.09$11.09
$14.89$14.89
-25.52%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.47$15.47
$19.19$19.19
-19.39%
Apples(1kg)
$4.31$4.31
$5.14$5.14
-16.15%
Banana(1kg)
$1.61$1.61
$1.77$1.77
-9.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.21$4.21
$4.39$4.39
-4.10%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.63$4.63
$4.56$4.56
1.54%
Potato(1kg)
$4.16$4.16
$2.54$2.54
63.78%
Onion(1kg)
$2.27$2.27
$2.75$2.75
-17.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.94$1.94
$2.42$2.42
-19.83%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.31$2.31
$2.62$2.62
-11.83%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.16$11.16
$14.92$14.92
-25.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.19$12.19
$14.80$14.80
-17.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.87$1.87
$2.46$2.46
-23.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32$2.32
$3.73$3.73
-37.80%
🚌 Getting Around
Anna, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.78$3.78
$2.48$2.48
52.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$75.4$75.4
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.79$2.79
$3.18$3.18
-12.26%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.23$1.23
$1.42$1.42
-13.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.68$29.68
$24.94$24.94
19.01%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.82$0.82
$1.06$1.06
-22.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K$29.9K
$31.9K$31.9K
-6.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K$26.2K
$26.0K$26.0K
0.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Anna, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$234$234
$185$185
26.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$73.1$73.1
$61.7$61.7
18.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.0$68.0
$66.9$66.9
1.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Anna, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.63$42.63
$75.2$75.2
-43.29%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.20$20.20
$13.08$13.08
54.43%
Cinema Ticket
$9.93$9.93
$14.71$14.71
-32.49%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Anna, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,556$1,556
$2,020$2,020
-22.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$20.3K$20.3K
$39.4K$39.4K
-48.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Anna, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.6$55.6
$64.6$64.6
-13.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.84$38.84
$52.5$52.5
-25.95%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103$103
$97.8$97.8
5.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$153$153
$148$148
3.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Anna, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,644$2,644
$2,313$2,313
14.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,387$2,387
$1,590$1,590
50.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,123$4,123
$4,608$4,608
-10.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,229$2,229
$2,779$2,779
-19.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,648$2,648
$3,922$3,922
-32.48%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,465$3,465
$2,613$2,613
32.61%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Anna, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$6,056$6,056
$5,217$5,217
16.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.52
6.6
-1.21%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Anna, TX: May 31, 2026
Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,644 in Anna, TX and $2,313 in Chicago, IL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Anna, TX pays 16% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $80.0 in Anna, TX vs $98.0 in Chicago, IL for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $369 vs $447 per month, with Anna, TX cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Anna, TX vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago, IL cheaper than Anna, TX?
Chicago, IL is cheaper overall, especially in Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 19% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Anna, TX or Chicago, IL?
Anna, TX pays 16% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Anna, TX and Chicago, IL?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,644 in Anna, TX versus $2,313 in Chicago, IL. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $1,556 in Anna, TX versus $2,020 in Chicago, IL. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Anna, TX or Chicago, IL?
Dining out is cheaper in Chicago, IL – a meal for two runs $98.0 versus $80.0 in Anna, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $3,000 enough to cover costs in Anna, TX or Chicago, IL?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Chicago, IL is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Is Anna, TX or Chicago, IL more family-friendly?
For families, Chicago, IL is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Anna, TX, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Chicago, IL gentler on the wallet – expenses run 19% less than in Anna, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.