Last update: Oct 2026

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

For one person, living is cheaper in Midland, TX: $2,065 a month against $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $11,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

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Cost of Living Index in Chicago, IL
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Chicago, IL Living Index

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Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 United States

$3,037

/mo nomad

Midland, TX

🇺🇸 United States

$2,065

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chicago, IL and in Midland, TX

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chicago, IL and in Midland, TX actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,037 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,065 in Midland, TX, rent included.

Chicago, IL $3,037
Midland, TX $2,065

A couple spends around $4,518 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,941 in Midland, TX, rent included.

Chicago, IL $4,518
Midland, TX $2,941

A family of three spends $5,999 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,818 in Midland, TX, rent included.

Chicago, IL $5,999
Midland, TX $3,818

Chicago, IL costs about 47% more than Midland, TX, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Chicago, IL and Midland, TX sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 123%, Midland, TX by 52%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.71 $20.71

$16.09 $16.09

28.71%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$89.2 $89.2

$54.6 $54.6

63.39%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.19 $13.19

$10.03 $10.03

31.51%

Cappuccino

$5.66 $5.66

$5.16 $5.16

9.69%

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

$2.64 $2.64

$4.65 $4.65

-43.23%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$4.19 $4.19

-45.58%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$9.89 $9.89

-30.54%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.84 $8.84

$12.14 $12.14

-27.18%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 $1.25

$0.77 $0.77

62.34%

White Bread (500g)

$3.72 $3.72

$3.39 $3.39

9.73%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.49 $4.49

20.04%

Eggs

$4.74 $4.74

$2.98 $2.98

59.06%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.84 $13.84

$10.84 $10.84

27.68%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.38 $18.38

Apples (1kg)

$5.22 $5.22

Banana (1kg)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.12 $1.12

76.79%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

Tomato (1kg)

$4.97 $4.97

Potato (1kg)

$2.67 $2.67

Onion (1kg)

$2.66 $2.66

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.24 $2.24

$1.72 $1.72

30.23%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.13 $3.13

$2.04 $2.04

53.43%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.82 $13.82

$11.17 $11.17

23.72%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.88 $14.88

$14.77 $14.77

0.74%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.78 $1.78

42.70%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.51 $3.51

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.26 $1.26

92.86%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.5 $73.5

$37.28 $37.28

97.24%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.39 $1.39

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.03 $25.03

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$0.86 $0.86

39.53%

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

$35.0K $35.0K

$26.9K $26.9K

30.23%

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

$26.7K $26.7K

$26.2K $26.2K

1.71%

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

$194 $194

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

$69.5 $69.5

$53.9 $53.9

28.85%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.6 $61.6

$71.2 $71.2

-13.45%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.90 $47.90

$13.36 $13.36

258.53%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.34 $27.34

Cinema Ticket

$17.81 $17.81

$12.37 $12.37

43.98%

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

$1,794 $1,794

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.0 $67.0

$79.1 $79.1

-15.29%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.1 $52.1

$30.36 $30.36

71.74%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 $102

$148 $148

-31.44%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$149 $149

-3.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,526 $2,526

$1,713 $1,713

47.45%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,578 $1,578

$1,166 $1,166

35.30%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,738 $4,738

$2,593 $2,593

82.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,693 $2,693

$1,784 $1,784

50.91%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,190 $4,190

$2,337 $2,337

79.25%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,768 $2,768

$1,863 $1,863

48.55%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,931 $4,931

$5,445 $5,445

-9.45%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.81

6.92

-1.59%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 25, 2026

Last update for Midland, TX: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Chicago, IL

$1.6K 52%

Midland, TX

–

Groceries & Markets

Chicago, IL

$447 14.7%

Midland, TX

–

Eating Out

Chicago, IL

$345 11.4%

Midland, TX

–

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Chicago, IL

$326 10.7%

Midland, TX

–

Clothing & Footwear

Chicago, IL

$164 5.4%

Midland, TX

–

Getting Around

Chicago, IL

$93 3.1%

Midland, TX

–

Sport & Entertainment

Chicago, IL

$84 2.8%

Midland, TX

–

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,526 in Chicago, IL versus $1,713 in Midland, 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 10% higher in Midland, TX, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89 in Chicago, IL versus $55 in Midland, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $181 – making Midland, TX the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 Midland, TX

🕒 Local time

08:23 8:23 AM

Same time as Chicago, IL

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

2,746,388

132,524

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.896 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

Lowest

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Between locations

Chicago, IL Midland, TX 1,690 km ≈ 2 h 30 min nonstop flight

From you

Chicago, IL
Midland, TX

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Midland, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,037 in Chicago, IL, $2,065 in Midland, TX – Midland, TX comes out roughly 32% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,555 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,098 in Midland, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Midland, TX, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,713 there versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL.

Public transport costs about 49% less in Midland, TX. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Groceries cost about 148% more in Chicago, IL, though the gap depends on what you buy.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,037 in Chicago, IL and $2,065 in Midland, 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 $2,065 in Midland, TX to $3,037 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

For expats, Midland, TX is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 32% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.