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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,964 in Beaumont, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,763 in Beaumont, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,563 in Beaumont, TX, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 59% more than Beaumont, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Beaumont, TX sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Beaumont, TX by 44%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$14.79 $14.79

34.69%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$47.28 $47.28

87.16%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$10.13 $10.13

27.74%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.45 $5.45

1.65%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.74 $2.74

$1.99 $1.99

37.69%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.77 $1.77

33.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$5.04 $5.04

41.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$7.02 $7.02

24.36%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.75 $0.75

78.67%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$2.65 $2.65

57.36%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$3.23 $3.23

77.40%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$2.80 $2.80

74.64%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$4.38 $4.38

237.21%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$9.51 $9.51

56.15%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$13.21 $13.21

48.45%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$3.35 $3.35

66.27%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.59 $1.59

20.75%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$4.34 $4.34

-3.92%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$3.34 $3.34

45.51%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.24 $2.24

26.79%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.23 $2.23

25.56%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.84 $1.84

19.57%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$1.77 $1.77

72.88%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$7.16 $7.16

125.70%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$12.44 $12.44

19.13%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.78 $1.78

42.13%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$2.04 $2.04

64.22%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$4.06 $4.06

-37.19%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$110 $110

-31.07%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$10.19 $10.19

-67.62%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.82 $1.82

-25.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$59.7 $59.7

-57.89%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.74 $0.74

58.11%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$36.0K $36.0K

$36.8K $36.8K

-2.31%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.9K $25.9K

1.12%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$191 $191

$180 $180

6.50%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$67.9 $67.9

$36.62 $36.62

85.47%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$51.8 $51.8

19.21%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$35.55 $35.55

78.54%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$10.69 $10.69

68.57%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,522 $1,522

$849 $849

79.27%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$18.1K $18.1K

73.43%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$56.9 $56.9

11.94%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$30.27 $30.27

82.52%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$69.8 $69.8

43.94%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$73.8 $73.8

107.67%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$843 $843

185.32%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$789 $789

109.46%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$1,349 $1,349

239.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$1,133 $1,133

144.68%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$1,366 $1,366

195.13%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$1,358 $1,358

102.19%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$4,260 $4,260

12.77%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.03

5.80%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Beaumont, TX: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $843 in Beaumont, TX. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 13% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $47.00 in Beaumont, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $296 – making Beaumont, TX the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Chicago, IL vs Beaumont, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $1,964 in Beaumont, TX – roughly 59% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,945 in Beaumont, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Beaumont, TX, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $1,964 in Beaumont, TX. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 45% less in Beaumont, TX. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Beaumont, TX, where all-in costs run around $1,964, than in Chicago, IL at $3,117. In Beaumont, TX it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,964 in Beaumont, TX to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Beaumont, TX. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.