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

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 14.7% more expensive than Abilene, TX without rent, and 43.9% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 38.3% more expensive than Abilene, TX without rent, and 49.3% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Abilene, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$13.6 $13.6
53.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$55.2 $55.2
81.84%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$8.98 $8.98
33.30%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$4.88 $4.88
13.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$1.86 $1.86
67.20%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$1.93 $1.93
25.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$3.96 $3.96
73.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$7.77 $7.77
8.75%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Abilene, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$0.84 $0.84
23.81%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$2.86 $2.86
45.10%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$5 $5
10.40%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$8.02 $8.02
-42.02%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$11.74 $11.74
22.06%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$10 $10
48.80%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$13.47 $13.47
43.58%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$4.67 $4.67
10.71%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.45 $1.45
17.93%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$4.27 $4.27
3.28%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$3.39 $3.39
33.04%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$3.59 $3.59
-29.53%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$3.02 $3.02
-9.27%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$2.2 $2.2
10.45%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$3.26 $3.26
-17.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$8.46 $8.46
79.55%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$15.02 $15.02
9.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.7 $1.7
38.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$2.94 $2.94
25.85%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Abilene, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.53 $1.53
65.36%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
$45.82 $45.82
61.79%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$2.94 $2.94
13.61%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.72 $1.72
-17.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$57.3 $57.3
-55.64%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$0.78 $0.78
38.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$29.9K $29.9K
8.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$22.7K $22.7K
15.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Abilene, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$191 $191
-1.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$46.88 $46.88
35.88%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$65.3 $65.3
-0.08%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Abilene, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$15.03 $15.03
410.45%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$11.96 $11.96
24.83%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Abilene, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$871 $871
136.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$23.2K $23.2K
69.14%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Abilene, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$54.8 $54.8
17.35%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$35.19 $35.19
48.88%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$88.2 $88.2
8.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$108 $108
34.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Abilene, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$1,109 $1,109
114.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$900 $900
76.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$1,715 $1,715
177.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$1,599 $1,599
75.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$1,660 $1,660
116.14%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$1,668 $1,668
49.32%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Abilene, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
$3,620 $3,620
45.70%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
6.49
1.69%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

Last update for Abilene, TX: October 29, 2025

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