Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Port Arthur, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Port Arthur, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,111 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,535 in Port Arthur, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,680 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,744 in Port Arthur, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,249 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,954 in Port Arthur, TX, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 23% more than Port Arthur, TX, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Port Arthur, TX sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Port Arthur, TX by 89%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$18.65 $18.65

9.33%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$74.8 $74.8

31.28%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

$10.79 $10.79

11.86%

Cappuccino

$5.73 $5.73

$4.98 $4.98

15.06%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.56 $2.56

16.02%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.04 $2.04

21.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.99 $6.99

$5.93 $5.93

17.88%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$7.13 $7.13

15.15%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.03 $1.03

1.94%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$3.43 $3.43

18.95%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$4.28 $4.28

28.50%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$4.21 $4.21

10.21%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$12.29 $12.29

17.17%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.20 $15.20

$11.60 $11.60

31.03%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$15.39 $15.39

25.28%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.87 $4.87

5.54%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.58 $1.58

11.39%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$4.20 $4.20

3.33%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$4.85 $4.85

-10.10%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$2.86 $2.86

-14.69%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$2.87 $2.87

-2.79%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.00 $2.00

26.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.19 $2.19

21.46%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.90 $14.90

$9.85 $9.85

51.27%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$14.01 $14.01

6.85%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.85 $1.85

32.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$3.26 $3.26

8.59%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$2.05 $2.05

18.54%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$3.47 $3.47

-4.32%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.58 $1.58

-12.66%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.11 $25.11

$29.55 $29.55

-15.03%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.88 $0.88

23.86%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$29.9K $29.9K

6.55%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$25.8K $25.8K

3.96%

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

$187 $187

$186 $186

0.55%

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

$63.5 $63.5

$53.8 $53.8

17.91%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$67.3 $67.3

-2.67%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.7 $75.7

$43.46 $43.46

74.16%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$13.68 $13.68

8.19%

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

$2,025 $2,025

$1,312 $1,312

54.38%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.0K $39.0K

$23.8K $23.8K

63.47%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$50.4 $50.4

27.41%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$40.31 $40.31

28.33%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$87.6 $87.6

9.18%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$113 $113

27.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,326 $2,326

$1,625 $1,625

43.17%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$1,365 $1,365

17.99%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,703 $4,703

$2,643 $2,643

77.92%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,721 $2,721

$2,221 $2,221

22.50%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

$2,727 $2,727

40.42%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

$2,402 $2,402

5.45%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,100 $5,100

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: June 7, 2026

Last update for Port Arthur, TX: June 9, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,326 in Chicago, IL versus $1,625 in Port Arthur, TX. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $75.0 in Port Arthur, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $387 – making Port Arthur, 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 Port Arthur, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,111 in Chicago, IL, $2,535 in Port Arthur, TX – roughly 23% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,666 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,802 in Port Arthur, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Port Arthur, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $75.0 in Port Arthur, TX. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 16% 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.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,111 in Chicago, IL and $2,535 in Port Arthur, 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 $2,535 in Port Arthur, TX to $3,111 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Port Arthur, 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.