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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,619 in Paris, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,723 in Paris, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,828 in Paris, TX, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 16% more than Paris, TX, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Paris, TX sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Paris, TX by 95%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$17.02 $17.02

21.45%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$71.3 $71.3

40.88%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$9.93 $9.93

19.44%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.10 $5.10

8.63%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.63 $2.63

16.35%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.70 $1.70

45.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$4.95 $4.95

39.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$6.31 $6.31

28.84%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.95 $0.95

9.47%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$3.80 $3.80

2.89%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$5.98 $5.98

-9.36%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$3.51 $3.51

27.64%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$11.02 $11.02

31.76%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$11.25 $11.25

35.20%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$14.88 $14.88

29.37%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.17 $4.17

29.26%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.73 $1.73

-2.31%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$3.74 $3.74

15.51%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$4.11 $4.11

9.73%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.72 $2.72

-5.88%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.19 $3.19

-15.36%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$1.87 $1.87

28.88%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.09 $2.09

25.36%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$7.58 $7.58

98.15%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$9.27 $9.27

58.68%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.69 $1.69

46.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.02 $2.02

26.24%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.06 $2.06

59.71%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.26 $1.26

13.49%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$29.87 $29.87

-17.24%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.76 $0.76

43.42%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$35.7K $35.7K

-10.92%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$24.7K $24.7K

6.90%

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

$183 $183

$231 $231

-20.56%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$52.4 $52.4

18.00%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$67.1 $67.1

-3.06%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$49.97 $49.97

52.25%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$10.86 $10.86

35.82%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$1,075 $1,075

91.26%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$25.4K $25.4K

51.72%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$56.4 $56.4

13.39%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$47.34 $47.34

8.98%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$112 $112

-13.48%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$120 $120

22.77%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,010 $1,010

132.69%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,365 $1,365

15.79%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,669 $2,669

76.40%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,253 $2,253

20.52%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$1,577 $1,577

152.15%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$1,579 $1,579

66.67%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$4,989 $4,989

-5.32%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.56

0.61%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Paris, TX: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,010 in Paris, 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 6% higher in Paris, 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $71 in Paris, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $368 – making Paris, 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 Paris, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,619 in Paris, TX – roughly 16% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,929 in Paris, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Paris, 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 $100 in Chicago, IL and $71.0 in Paris, TX. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 22% 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 Paris, TX, where all-in costs run around $2,619, than in Chicago, IL at $3,051. In Paris, 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 $2,619 in Paris, TX to $3,051 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Paris, 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.