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

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 81% more expensive than Galveston, TX without rent, and 48.7% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 40.1% more expensive than Galveston, TX without rent, and 59.9% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Galveston, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$13.14 $13.14
58.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$64.3 $64.3
56.10%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$8.6 $8.6
39.19%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$4.67 $4.67
19.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.82 $2.82
10.28%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$1.59 $1.59
52.20%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$4.53 $4.53
51.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$4.05 $4.05
108.64%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Galveston, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$0.91 $0.91
14.29%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$2.55 $2.55
62.75%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$2.24 $2.24
146.43%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$2.59 $2.59
79.54%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$10.3 $10.3
39.13%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$8.35 $8.35
78.20%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$13.23 $13.23
46.18%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$4.13 $4.13
25.18%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.18 $1.18
44.92%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$5.8 $5.8
-23.97%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$3.15 $3.15
43.17%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.03 $2.03
24.63%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$2.16 $2.16
26.85%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$1.73 $1.73
40.46%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$1.53 $1.53
76.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$8.12 $8.12
87.07%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$10.87 $10.87
51.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.75 $1.75
34.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$1.49 $1.49
148.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Galveston, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.95 $1.95
29.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$7.66 $7.66
-56.40%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.84 $1.84
-22.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$29.14 $29.14
-12.77%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$0.74 $0.74
45.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$29.7K $29.7K
9.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$26.2K $26.2K
0.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Galveston, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$189 $189
-0.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$44.95 $44.95
41.71%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$62.5 $62.5
4.34%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Galveston, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$24.9 $24.9
208.11%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$11.04 $11.04
35.24%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Galveston, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$1,161 $1,161
77.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$17.8K $17.8K
119.80%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Galveston, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$40.04 $40.04
60.61%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$37.77 $37.77
38.71%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$73.1 $73.1
30.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$79.7 $79.7
81.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Galveston, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$1,488 $1,488
59.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$984 $984
60.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$2,663 $2,663
78.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$1,729 $1,729
62.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$2,702 $2,702
32.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$2,172 $2,172
14.66%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Galveston, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
$3,930 $3,930
34.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
6.71
-1.64%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

Last update for Galveston, TX: October 27, 2025

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