Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Sugar Land, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Sugar Land, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,599 in Sugar Land, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,576 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,590 in Sugar Land, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,143 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,581 in Sugar Land, TX, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 16% more than Sugar Land, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Sugar Land, TX sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Sugar Land, TX by 95%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.27 $20.27

$19.10 $19.10

6.13%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$69.2 $69.2

45.62%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.04 $12.04

$9.86 $9.86

22.11%

Cappuccino

$5.76 $5.76

$5.43 $5.43

6.08%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.85 $2.85

4.21%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 $2.38

$2.01 $2.01

18.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.20 $7.20

$6.04 $6.04

19.21%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.05 $8.05

$6.91 $6.91

16.50%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.89 $0.89

22.47%

White Bread (500g)

$4.12 $4.12

$3.04 $3.04

35.53%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$4.60 $4.60

15.00%

Eggs

$4.56 $4.56

$4.02 $4.02

13.43%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.45 $14.45

$12.66 $12.66

14.14%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.79 $14.79

$12.08 $12.08

22.43%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.56 $19.56

$17.59 $17.59

11.20%

Apples (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$4.06 $4.06

33.50%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.42 $1.42

20.42%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.18 $4.18

$4.08 $4.08

2.45%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$3.17 $3.17

44.79%

Potato (1kg)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.95 $1.95

27.18%

Onion (1kg)

$2.72 $2.72

$2.41 $2.41

12.86%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.77 $1.77

39.55%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.72 $2.72

$2.15 $2.15

26.51%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.78 $14.78

$9.26 $9.26

59.61%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.30 $15.30

$14.30 $14.30

6.99%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.03 $2.03

15.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$3.86 $3.86

-3.11%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.02 $2.02

22.28%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.0 $74.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$3.60 $3.60

-7.78%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.90 $1.90

-27.89%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.65 $24.65

$29.73 $29.73

-17.09%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.79 $0.79

32.91%

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

$32.4K $32.4K

$29.0K $29.0K

11.69%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$25.7K $25.7K

1.49%

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

$186 $186

$197 $197

-5.36%

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

$62.6 $62.6

$58.8 $58.8

6.43%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.5 $67.5

$75.5 $75.5

-10.56%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.53 $42.53

76.84%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.38 $13.38

Cinema Ticket

$15.10 $15.10

$13.91 $13.91

8.55%

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

$2,023 $2,023

$1,118 $1,118

81.00%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$16.1K $16.1K

147.06%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$45.48 $45.48

41.25%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$42.32 $42.32

20.94%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.2 $96.2

$87.9 $87.9

9.34%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$123 $123

19.94%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,329 $2,329

$1,620 $1,620

43.69%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,570 $1,570

$1,334 $1,334

17.63%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,677 $4,677

$2,393 $2,393

95.44%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,810 $2,810

$1,847 $1,847

52.15%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,082 $4,082

$1,854 $1,854

120.12%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,645 $2,645

$1,913 $1,913

38.26%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,883 $4,883

$7,492 $7,492

-34.82%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.44

2.48%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 27, 2026

Last update for Sugar Land, TX: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,329 in Chicago, IL versus $1,620 in Sugar Land, 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 53% higher in Sugar Land, 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 $101 in Chicago, IL versus $69.0 in Sugar Land, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $450 vs $376 – making Sugar Land, 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 Sugar Land, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $2,599 in Sugar Land, TX – roughly 16% 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 $3,899 in Sugar Land, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Sugar Land, 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 $69.0 in Sugar Land, TX. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 20% 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 $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $2,599 in Sugar Land, 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 $2,599 in Sugar Land, TX to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Sugar Land, 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.