Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fort Worth, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fort Worth, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,691 in Fort Worth, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,989 in Fort Worth, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,287 in Fort Worth, TX, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 14% more than Fort Worth, TX, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Chicago, IL and Fort Worth, TX sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Fort Worth, TX by 101%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$17.95 $17.95

16.49%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$60.2 $60.2

63.06%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.14 $12.14

-2.31%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$6.35 $6.35

-11.81%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.68 $2.68

14.55%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.02 $2.02

22.28%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.04 $5.04

41.67%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$5.71 $5.71

41.51%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.92 $0.92

14.13%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.13 $3.13

31.31%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.02 $4.02

39.55%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$3.53 $3.53

27.76%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$9.74 $9.74

46.51%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$15.17 $15.17

-1.85%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$19.50 $19.50

-1.59%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$5.97 $5.97

-13.90%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.69 $2.69

-34.20%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.96 $3.96

10.86%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.10 $4.10

11.22%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.43 $2.43

4.53%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.88 $2.88

-4.51%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.17 $2.17

11.52%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.17 $2.17

20.74%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$9.05 $9.05

64.86%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$19.72 $19.72

-24.95%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.90 $1.90

29.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$4.39 $4.39

-15.03%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$3.34 $3.34

-25.75%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$81.3 $81.3

-7.22%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.06 $3.06

3.92%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.73 $1.73

-17.92%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$24.37 $24.37

2.34%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.80 $0.80

32.50%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$24.6K $24.6K

29.64%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$26.7K $26.7K

-2.48%

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

$185 $185

$232 $232

-20.30%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$75.7 $75.7

-18.43%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$77.5 $77.5

-13.65%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$35.54 $35.54

111.51%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

$27.37 $27.37

-52.21%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$13.62 $13.62

8.00%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,860 $1,860

8.62%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$23.1K $23.1K

70.46%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$60.6 $60.6

6.58%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$45.49 $45.49

15.30%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$115 $115

-15.09%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$125 $125

17.62%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,598 $1,598

44.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,231 $1,231

29.12%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,687 $2,687

71.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,218 $2,218

25.29%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$4,141 $4,141

-5.31%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$1,835 $1,835

42.36%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$4,412 $4,412

18.25%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.59

0.15%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Fort Worth, TX: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,598 in Fort Worth, 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 18% 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $60.0 in Fort Worth, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $422 – making Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,691 in Fort Worth, TX – roughly 14% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,036 in Fort Worth, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 6% 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $60.0 in Fort Worth, TX. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,691 in Fort Worth, TX. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,691 in Fort Worth, TX to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Fort Worth, 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.