Last update: Oct 2026

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

For one person, living is cheaper in Midland, TX: $2,065 a month against $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $11,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

147

Cost of Living Index in Chicago, IL
Learn more

Chicago, IL Living Index

Jump to prices

Midland, TX

🇺🇸 United States

$2,065

/mo nomad

Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 United States

$3,037

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Midland, TX and in Chicago, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Midland, TX and in Chicago, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,065 per month in Midland, TX vs $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Midland, TX $2,065
Chicago, IL $3,037

A couple spends around $2,941 per month in Midland, TX vs $4,518 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Midland, TX $2,941
Chicago, IL $4,518

A family of three spends $3,818 per month in Midland, TX vs $5,999 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Midland, TX $3,818
Chicago, IL $5,999

Midland, TX is about 32% cheaper than Chicago, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Midland, TX and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Midland, TX by 52%, Chicago, IL by 123%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.09 $16.09

$20.71 $20.71

-22.31%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$54.6 $54.6

$89.2 $89.2

-38.80%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.03 $10.03

$13.19 $13.19

-23.96%

Cappuccino

$5.16 $5.16

$5.66 $5.66

-8.83%

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

$4.65 $4.65

$2.64 $2.64

76.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.19 $4.19

$2.28 $2.28

83.77%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.89 $9.89

$6.87 $6.87

43.96%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.14 $12.14

$8.84 $8.84

37.33%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.77 $0.77

$1.25 $1.25

-38.40%

White Bread (500g)

$3.39 $3.39

$3.72 $3.72

-8.87%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.49 $4.49

$5.39 $5.39

-16.70%

Eggs

$2.98 $2.98

$4.74 $4.74

-37.13%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.84 $10.84

$13.84 $13.84

-21.68%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.38 $18.38

Apples (1kg)

$5.22 $5.22

Banana (1kg)

$1.12 $1.12

$1.98 $1.98

-43.43%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

Tomato (1kg)

$4.97 $4.97

Potato (1kg)

$2.67 $2.67

Onion (1kg)

$2.66 $2.66

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.72 $1.72

$2.24 $2.24

-23.21%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.04 $2.04

$3.13 $3.13

-34.82%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.17 $11.17

$13.82 $13.82

-19.18%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.77 $14.77

$14.88 $14.88

-0.74%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.78 $1.78

$2.54 $2.54

-29.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.51 $3.51

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.26 $1.26

$2.43 $2.43

-48.15%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$37.28 $37.28

$73.5 $73.5

-49.30%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.39 $1.39

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.03 $25.03

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.86 $0.86

$1.20 $1.20

-28.33%

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

$26.9K $26.9K

$35.0K $35.0K

-23.22%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$26.7K $26.7K

-1.68%

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

$194 $194

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

$53.9 $53.9

$69.5 $69.5

-22.39%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.2 $71.2

$61.6 $61.6

15.54%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$13.36 $13.36

$47.90 $47.90

-72.11%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.34 $27.34

Cinema Ticket

$12.37 $12.37

$17.81 $17.81

-30.54%

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

$1,794 $1,794

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$79.1 $79.1

$67.0 $67.0

18.05%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.36 $30.36

$52.1 $52.1

-41.77%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$148 $148

$102 $102

45.86%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 $149

$144 $144

3.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,713 $1,713

$2,526 $2,526

-32.18%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,166 $1,166

$1,578 $1,578

-26.09%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,593 $2,593

$4,738 $4,738

-45.28%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,784 $1,784

$2,693 $2,693

-33.73%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,337 $2,337

$4,190 $4,190

-44.21%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,863 $1,863

$2,768 $2,768

-32.68%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,445 $5,445

$4,931 $4,931

10.44%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.92

6.81

1.62%

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

Last update for Midland, TX: October 25, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Midland, TX

–

Chicago, IL

$1.6K 52%

Groceries & Markets

Midland, TX

–

Chicago, IL

$447 14.7%

Eating Out

Midland, TX

–

Chicago, IL

$345 11.4%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Midland, TX

–

Chicago, IL

$326 10.7%

Clothing & Footwear

Midland, TX

–

Chicago, IL

$164 5.4%

Getting Around

Midland, TX

–

Chicago, IL

$93 3.1%

Sport & Entertainment

Midland, TX

–

Chicago, IL

$84 2.8%

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,713 in Midland, TX versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL. 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 10% higher in Midland, 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 $55 in Midland, TX versus $89 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $181 vs $447 – making Midland, TX the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Midland, TX

🇺🇸 Chicago, IL

🕒 Local time

07:32 7:32 AM

Same time as Midland, TX

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

132,524

2,746,388

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.896 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Midland, TX Chicago, IL 1,690 km ≈ 2 h 30 min nonstop flight

From you

Midland, TX
Chicago, IL

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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

Midland, TX vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,065 in Midland, TX, $3,037 in Chicago, IL – Midland, TX comes out roughly 32% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,098 per month in Midland, TX and $4,555 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Midland, TX, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,713 there versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL.

Public transport costs about 49% less in Midland, TX. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Groceries cost about 148% more in Chicago, IL, though the gap depends on what you buy.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,065 in Midland, TX and $3,037 in Chicago, IL. 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 $2,065 in Midland, TX to $3,037 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

For expats, Midland, TX is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 32% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.