😐A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,590 in Eagle Pass, TX, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,740 in Eagle Pass, TX, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,891 in Eagle Pass, TX, rent included.
😐Chicago, IL costs about 20% more than Eagle Pass, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Chicago, IL and Eagle Pass, TX sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Eagle Pass, TX by 88%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Eagle Pass, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.86$19.86
$20.50$20.50
-3.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.3$88.3
$66.8$66.8
32.19%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.23$13.23
$12.18$12.18
8.62%
Cappuccino
$5.86$5.86
$5.27$5.27
11.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61$2.61
$2.66$2.66
-1.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32$2.32
$1.80$1.80
28.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.03$7.03
$6.82$6.82
3.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$9.25$9.25
$7.31$7.31
26.54%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Eagle Pass, TX
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.34$1.34
$1.04$1.04
28.85%
White Bread(500g)
$4.19$4.19
$3.45$3.45
21.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.50$5.50
$4.43$4.43
24.15%
Eggs
$4.71$4.71
$4.35$4.35
8.28%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.72$14.72
$11.63$11.63
26.57%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.53$14.53
$10.28$10.28
41.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.69$19.69
$17.03$17.03
15.62%
Apples(1kg)
$5.64$5.64
$4.59$4.59
22.88%
Banana(1kg)
$1.97$1.97
$1.47$1.47
34.01%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.04$4.04
$4.36$4.36
-7.34%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.07$5.07
$4.23$4.23
19.86%
Potato(1kg)
$2.94$2.94
$2.51$2.51
17.13%
Onion(1kg)
$2.92$2.92
$3.05$3.05
-4.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.28$2.28
$2.08$2.08
9.62%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$3.12$3.12
$2.23$2.23
39.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$16.19$16.19
$8.53$8.53
89.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.17$15.17
$15.28$15.28
-0.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.67$2.67
$1.67$1.67
59.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.48$3.48
$3.17$3.17
9.78%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Eagle Pass, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.54$2.54
$2.04$2.04
24.51%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$76.0$76.0
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.16$3.16
$3.38$3.38
-6.51%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.37$1.37
$1.57$1.57
-12.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$22.66$22.66
$26.43$26.43
-14.26%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.20$1.20
$0.88$0.88
36.36%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.0K$37.0K
$36.2K$36.2K
2.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.0K$26.0K
$27.5K$27.5K
-5.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Eagle Pass, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$190$190
$209$209
-9.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$68.5$68.5
$57.4$57.4
19.32%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.1$61.1
$70.5$70.5
-13.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Eagle Pass, TX
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$63.8$63.8
$40.85$40.85
56.13%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.80$27.80
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$18.28$18.28
$14.81$14.81
23.43%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Eagle Pass, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,525$1,525
$1,332$1,332
14.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$32.0K$32.0K
$24.7K$24.7K
29.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Eagle Pass, TX
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.0$64.0
$52.4$52.4
22.27%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.4$54.4
$40.73$40.73
33.56%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101$101
$88.6$88.6
13.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$153$153
$113$113
35.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Eagle Pass, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,421$2,421
$1,526$1,526
58.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,690$1,690
$1,283$1,283
31.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,584$4,584
$2,481$2,481
84.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,782$2,782
$2,175$2,175
27.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,170$4,170
$2,437$2,437
71.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,739$2,739
$2,367$2,367
15.70%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Eagle Pass, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,777$4,777
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.38
6.12
4.25%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026
Last update for Eagle Pass, TX: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $1,526 in Eagle Pass, TX. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $67.0 in Eagle Pass, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $382 – making Eagle Pass, 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 Eagle Pass, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Chicago, IL and in Eagle Pass, TX compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $2,590 in Eagle Pass, TX – roughly 20% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Chicago, IL compared to Eagle Pass, TX?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,885 in Eagle Pass, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Chicago, IL and Eagle Pass, TX?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Eagle Pass, TX, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $67.0 in Eagle Pass, TX. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 22% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,106 in Chicago, IL and $2,590 in Eagle Pass, TX. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Chicago, IL and Eagle Pass, TX?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,590 in Eagle Pass, TX to $3,106 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Chicago, IL and Eagle Pass, TX?
If budget matters most, go with Eagle Pass, 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.
Chicago, IL vs other spots: cost of living compared