Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Texas City, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Texas City, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,966 in Texas City, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,874 in Texas City, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,781 in Texas City, TX, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 59% more than Texas City, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Texas City, TX sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Texas City, TX by 44%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$18.32 $18.32

8.73%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$75.5 $75.5

17.16%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$10.16 $10.16

27.36%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$3.98 $3.98

39.20%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$1.27 $1.27

115.75%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.92 $1.92

22.92%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$6.11 $6.11

16.53%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$7.18 $7.18

21.59%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.78 $0.78

71.79%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$2.64 $2.64

57.95%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$3.32 $3.32

72.59%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$4.03 $4.03

21.34%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$6.71 $6.71

120.12%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$14.16 $14.16

4.87%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$10.60 $10.60

85.00%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$4.34 $4.34

28.34%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.46 $1.46

31.51%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$4.30 $4.30

-3.02%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$4.34 $4.34

11.98%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.82 $2.82

0.71%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.60 $2.60

7.69%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.85 $1.85

18.92%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.16 $2.16

41.67%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$7.94 $7.94

103.53%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$9.96 $9.96

48.80%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.84 $2.84

-10.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.33 $3.33

0.60%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$0.98 $0.98

160.20%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$39.58 $39.58

90.93%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.72 $2.72

21.32%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.60 $1.60

-15.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$19.68 $19.68

27.64%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.82 $0.82

42.68%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$36.6K $36.6K

-1.70%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$27.8K $27.8K

-5.71%

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

$191 $191

$223 $223

-14.11%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$24.62 $24.62

175.87%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$67.9 $67.9

-9.17%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$15.10 $15.10

320.33%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$13.80 $13.80

30.58%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,181 $1,181

28.86%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$20.9K $20.9K

50.08%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$53.0 $53.0

20.13%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$43.83 $43.83

26.06%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$64.1 $64.1

56.73%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$105 $105

46.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,099 $1,099

118.95%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$798 $798

107.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$1,676 $1,676

173.13%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$1,253 $1,253

121.25%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$9,196 $9,196

-56.17%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$7,852 $7,852

-65.04%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$4,727 $4,727

1.64%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.33%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Texas City, TX: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,099 in Texas City, 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 2% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $76.0 in Texas City, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $343 – making Texas City, 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 Texas City, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $1,966 in Texas City, TX – roughly 59% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,949 in Texas City, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Texas City, TX, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 35% 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 mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $76.0 in Texas City, TX. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Texas City, TX, where all-in costs run around $1,966, than in Chicago, IL at $3,117. In Texas City, 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 $1,966 in Texas City, TX to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Texas City, 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.