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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,066 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,777 in McAllen, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,583 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,628 in McAllen, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,100 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,478 in McAllen, TX, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 73% more than McAllen, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and McAllen, TX sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, McAllen, TX by 32%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.53 $20.53

$14.51 $14.51

41.49%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$69.8 $69.8

45.60%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.03 $12.03

$7.89 $7.89

52.47%

Cappuccino

$5.62 $5.62

$4.21 $4.21

33.49%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.57 $2.57

19.46%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.97 $1.97

22.84%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.98 $6.98

$4.85 $4.85

43.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.10 $8.10

$6.12 $6.12

32.35%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.89 $0.89

21.35%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$3.04 $3.04

29.93%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.52 $5.52

$3.10 $3.10

78.06%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$3.28 $3.28

38.72%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.58 $14.58

$9.42 $9.42

54.78%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.91 $14.91

$9.70 $9.70

53.71%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.83 $18.83

$15.83 $15.83

18.95%

Apples (1kg)

$5.34 $5.34

$4.57 $4.57

16.85%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.42 $1.42

23.94%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.31 $3.31

32.63%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$2.39 $2.39

82.85%

Potato (1kg)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.56 $2.56

-0.39%

Onion (1kg)

$2.78 $2.78

$2.88 $2.88

-3.47%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.71 $1.71

43.86%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.17 $2.17

22.58%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.74 $14.74

$8.70 $8.70

69.43%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$16.04 $16.04

-5.42%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.07 $2.07

18.36%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.68 $3.68

$2.40 $2.40

53.33%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.02 $1.02

147.06%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$4.15 $4.15

-20.72%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$0.72 $0.72

98.61%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.86 $24.86

$29.64 $29.64

-16.13%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.74 $0.74

47.30%

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

$31.3K $31.3K

$28.8K $28.8K

8.96%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$22.3K $22.3K

20.35%

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

$187 $187

$175 $175

6.96%

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

$62.4 $62.4

$39.66 $39.66

57.24%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.1 $67.1

$75.8 $75.8

-11.44%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$45.09 $45.09

66.71%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.17 $13.17

Cinema Ticket

$15.21 $15.21

$12.21 $12.21

24.57%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$885 $885

130.35%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.3K $39.3K

$23.1K $23.1K

70.10%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$70.1 $70.1

-8.81%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.6 $50.6

$44.35 $44.35

14.07%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.4 $95.4

$75.3 $75.3

26.64%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$93.8 $93.8

53.15%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,355 $2,355

$805 $805

192.45%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,613 $1,613

$688 $688

134.54%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,728 $4,728

$1,339 $1,339

253.08%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,754 $2,754

$1,112 $1,112

147.65%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,803 $3,803

$1,696 $1,696

124.25%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,580 $2,580

$1,676 $1,676

53.89%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,738 $4,738

$3,614 $3,614

31.10%

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: April 14, 2026

Last update for McAllen, TX: April 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,355 in Chicago, IL versus $805 in McAllen, 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 31% 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $70 in McAllen, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $339 – making McAllen, 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 McAllen, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,066 in Chicago, IL, $1,777 in McAllen, TX – roughly 73% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,665 in McAllen, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in McAllen, 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 $102 in Chicago, IL and $70.0 in McAllen, TX. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 32% 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 $3,000 monthly budget goes further in McAllen, TX, where all-in costs run around $1,777, than in Chicago, IL at $3,066. In McAllen, 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 $1,777 in McAllen, TX to $3,066 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with McAllen, 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.