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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,511 in Harlingen, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,576 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,735 in Harlingen, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,143 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,960 in Harlingen, TX, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 20% more than Harlingen, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Harlingen, TX sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Harlingen, TX by 89%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.27 $20.27

$19.11 $19.11

6.07%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$75.1 $75.1

34.22%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.04 $12.04

$11.14 $11.14

8.08%

Cappuccino

$5.76 $5.76

$5.22 $5.22

10.34%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.52 $2.52

17.86%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 $2.38

$1.98 $1.98

20.20%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.20 $7.20

$5.84 $5.84

23.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.05 $8.05

$6.81 $6.81

18.21%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.00 $1.00

9.00%

White Bread (500g)

$4.12 $4.12

$3.48 $3.48

18.39%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$4.46 $4.46

18.61%

Eggs

$4.56 $4.56

$4.29 $4.29

6.29%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.45 $14.45

$12.08 $12.08

19.62%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.79 $14.79

$11.62 $11.62

27.28%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.56 $19.56

$15.55 $15.55

25.79%

Apples (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$4.97 $4.97

9.05%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.62 $1.62

5.56%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.18 $4.18

$4.15 $4.15

0.72%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$4.61 $4.61

-0.43%

Potato (1kg)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.80 $2.80

-11.43%

Onion (1kg)

$2.72 $2.72

$2.79 $2.79

-2.51%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.11 $2.11

17.06%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.72 $2.72

$2.16 $2.16

25.93%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.78 $14.78

$9.51 $9.51

55.42%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.30 $15.30

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$1.78 $1.78

32.02%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$3.34 $3.34

11.98%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.94 $1.94

27.32%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.0 $74.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$3.48 $3.48

-4.60%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.60 $1.60

-14.37%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.65 $24.65

$28.87 $28.87

-14.62%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.88 $0.88

19.32%

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

$32.4K $32.4K

$29.2K $29.2K

10.97%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$25.3K $25.3K

3.01%

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

$186 $186

$185 $185

0.55%

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

$62.6 $62.6

$53.1 $53.1

17.82%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.5 $67.5

$66.7 $66.7

1.20%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.64 $42.64

76.38%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.38 $13.38

Cinema Ticket

$15.10 $15.10

$13.39 $13.39

12.77%

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

$2,023 $2,023

$1,281 $1,281

57.97%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$23.5K $23.5K

69.80%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$51.4 $51.4

25.08%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$40.42 $40.42

26.62%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.2 $96.2

$85.7 $85.7

12.25%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$111 $111

32.07%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,329 $2,329

$1,586 $1,586

46.78%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,570 $1,570

$1,369 $1,369

14.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,677 $4,677

$2,625 $2,625

78.19%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,810 $2,810

$2,259 $2,259

24.40%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,082 $4,082

$1,887 $1,887

116.34%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,645 $2,645

$1,880 $1,880

40.64%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,883 $4,883

$4,179 $4,179

16.85%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 27, 2026

Last update for Harlingen, TX: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,329 in Chicago, IL versus $1,586 in Harlingen, 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 17% 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 $101 in Chicago, IL versus $75.0 in Harlingen, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $450 vs $359 – making Harlingen, 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 Harlingen, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $2,511 in Harlingen, TX – roughly 20% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,766 in Harlingen, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

A mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Chicago, IL and $75.0 in Harlingen, TX. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 25% 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.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $2,511 in Harlingen, 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 $2,511 in Harlingen, TX to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Harlingen, 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.