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

🙂 Solo nomad: Garland, TX is 27.4% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 4.6% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Garland, TX is 23.7% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 12% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Garland, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.72 $17.72
$20.82 $20.82
-14.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.1 $75.1
$100 $100
-25.18%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.02 $10.02
$11.97 $11.97
-16.29%
Cappuccino
$4.81 $4.81
$5.56 $5.56
-13.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58 $2.58
$3.11 $3.11
-17.04%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 $1.97
$2.42 $2.42
-18.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.83 $5.83
$6.86 $6.86
-15.01%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.01 $8.01
$8.45 $8.45
-5.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Garland, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1 $1
$1.04 $1.04
-3.85%
White Bread (500g)
$2.9 $2.9
$4.15 $4.15
-30.12%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.31 $3.31
$5.52 $5.52
-40.04%
Eggs
$4.85 $4.85
$4.65 $4.65
4.30%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.02 $12.02
$14.33 $14.33
-16.12%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.66 $10.66
$14.88 $14.88
-28.36%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.72 $14.72
$19.34 $19.34
-23.89%
Apples (1kg)
$4.95 $4.95
$5.17 $5.17
-4.26%
Banana (1kg)
$1.38 $1.38
$1.71 $1.71
-19.30%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.71 $3.71
$4.41 $4.41
-15.87%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.11 $4.11
$4.51 $4.51
-8.87%
Potato (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$2.53 $2.53
9.09%
Onion (1kg)
$1.85 $1.85
$2.74 $2.74
-32.48%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.93 $1.93
$2.43 $2.43
-20.58%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.17 $2.17
$2.7 $2.7
-19.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.78 $8.78
$15.19 $15.19
-42.20%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.27 $13.27
$16.42 $16.42
-19.18%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.38 $2.38
$2.35 $2.35
1.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.41 $3.41
$3.7 $3.7
-7.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Garland, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.06 $3.06
$2.53 $2.53
20.95%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$96.8 $96.8
$74.1 $74.1
30.62%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.05 $3.05
$3.34 $3.34
-8.68%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.24 $1.24
$1.42 $1.42
-12.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.51 $35.51
$25.42 $25.42
39.69%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.79 $0.79
$1.08 $1.08
-26.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$32.4K $32.4K
-21.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K $26.7K
$26.2K $26.2K
1.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Garland, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$178 $178
$188 $188
-5.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$48.68 $48.68
$63.7 $63.7
-23.58%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.8 $64.8
$65.2 $65.2
-0.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Garland, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.22 $30.22
$76.7 $76.7
-60.61%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.2 $16.2
$13.03 $13.03
24.33%
Cinema Ticket
$14.73 $14.73
$14.93 $14.93
-1.34%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Garland, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,324 $1,324
$2,063 $2,063
-35.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$39.2K $39.2K
-42.95%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Garland, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54 $54
$64.3 $64.3
-16.03%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.95 $29.95
$52.4 $52.4
-42.83%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.9 $86.9
$95.2 $95.2
-8.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$118 $118
$145 $145
-18.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Garland, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,032 $2,032
$2,378 $2,378
-14.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,538 $1,538
$1,584 $1,584
-2.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,647 $3,647
$4,763 $4,763
-23.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,737 $2,737
$2,815 $2,815
-2.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,288 $3,288
$3,588 $3,588
-8.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,924 $1,924
$2,490 $2,490
-22.73%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Garland, TX
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,826 $3,826
$5,275 $5,275
-27.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.49
6.6
-1.67%

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

Last update for Garland, TX: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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