Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Wichita Falls, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Wichita Falls, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,184 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,839 in Wichita Falls, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,725 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,791 in Wichita Falls, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,266 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,743 in Wichita Falls, TX, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 73% more than Wichita Falls, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Wichita Falls, TX sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Wichita Falls, TX by 33%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.26 $20.26

$15.66 $15.66

29.37%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.8 $88.8

$60.2 $60.2

47.55%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.16 $13.16

$11.62 $11.62

13.25%

Cappuccino

$5.77 $5.77

$4.59 $4.59

25.71%

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

$2.63 $2.63

$3.14 $3.14

-16.24%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 $2.34

$2.78 $2.78

-15.83%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.06 $7.06

$4.92 $4.92

43.50%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.18 $9.18

$5.86 $5.86

56.66%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$0.78 $0.78

66.67%

White Bread (500g)

$4.05 $4.05

$3.10 $3.10

30.65%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.69 $5.69

$3.91 $3.91

45.52%

Eggs

$4.85 $4.85

$4.94 $4.94

-1.82%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$13.06 $13.06

15.47%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.87 $14.87

$8.77 $8.77

69.56%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$10.81 $10.81

78.35%

Apples (1kg)

$5.68 $5.68

$4.51 $4.51

25.94%

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.78 $1.78

8.43%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.10 $4.10

$4.54 $4.54

-9.69%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.11 $5.11

$2.24 $2.24

128.13%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$2.18 $2.18

33.94%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$1.69 $1.69

63.91%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.30 $2.30

$1.62 $1.62

41.98%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.04 $3.04

$1.96 $1.96

55.10%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.93 $15.93

Wine (Bottle)

$15.06 $15.06

$8.74 $8.74

72.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.04 $1.04

143.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.48 $1.48

70.95%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.8 $74.8

$44.99 $44.99

66.17%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.28 $3.28

$1.27 $1.27

158.27%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$0.88 $0.88

54.55%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.55 $22.55

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$0.81 $0.81

50.62%

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

$36.1K $36.1K

$34.6K $34.6K

4.50%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.2K $25.2K

3.03%

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

$188 $188

$310 $310

-39.24%

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

$69.0 $69.0

$50.4 $50.4

36.82%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.6 $63.6

$62.1 $62.1

2.27%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.4 $63.4

$14.71 $14.71

331.27%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.11 $27.11

$19.90 $19.90

36.23%

Cinema Ticket

$17.90 $17.90

$8.73 $8.73

105.04%

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

$1,526 $1,526

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.1 $62.1

$22.68 $22.68

173.68%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.4 $56.4

$49.92 $49.92

12.94%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$64.5 $64.5

56.38%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$156 $156

$97.9 $97.9

59.61%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,342 $2,342

$1,071 $1,071

118.78%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,698 $1,698

$622 $622

172.92%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,576 $4,576

$1,385 $1,385

230.30%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,806 $2,806

$1,198 $1,198

134.25%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,130 $4,130

$1,489 $1,489

177.32%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,740 $2,740

$1,416 $1,416

93.43%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,891 $4,891

$3,928 $3,928

24.50%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.06

5.28%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 6, 2026

Last update for Wichita Falls, TX: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,342 in Chicago, IL versus $1,071 in Wichita Falls, 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 25% 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 $89.0 in Chicago, IL versus $60.0 in Wichita Falls, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $315 – making Wichita Falls, 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 Wichita Falls, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,184 in Chicago, IL, $1,839 in Wichita Falls, TX – roughly 73% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,776 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,759 in Wichita Falls, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Public transport costs about 66% less in Wichita Falls, TX. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Groceries cost about 48% 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 $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Wichita Falls, TX, where all-in costs run around $1,839, than in Chicago, IL at $3,184. In Wichita Falls, 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 $1,839 in Wichita Falls, TX to $3,184 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Wichita Falls, 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.