Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Austin vs Chicago
Austin vs Chicago cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Austin
πΊπΈ ChicagoAustin is 13% cheaper than Chicago
Living on $5,920 a month in Austin feels like about $6,989 in Chicago β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$310 vs $333
Per month
$5,920 vs $6,989
Local meal
$ 15 vs $ 16
$15 vs $16
Taxi 5 km
$ 16 vs $ 18
$16 vs $18
At a glance
FoodAustin 7% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinkssimilar
TransportAustin 27% cheaper
StayAustin 13% cheaper
Funsimilar
- Where Austin is clearly cheaper: Transit (50%β), Studio rent (month) (19%β)
Item by item
| Item | Austin | Chicago | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 15$15 | $ 16$16 | Austin β6% |
| Street food1 item | $ 6.8$6.8 | $ 7.2$7.2 | Austin β6% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 38$38 | $ 42$42 | Austin β10% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | $ 6.5$6.5 | $ 7$7 | Austin β7% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 17$17 | $ 18$18 | Austin β6% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2$2 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 16$16 | $ 18$18 | Austin β11% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | $ 11$11 | similar |
| Transitone ride | $ 1.25$1.25 | $ 2.5$2.5 | Austin β50% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 56$56 | $ 57$57 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 170$170 | $ 180$180 | Austin β6% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,700$1,700 | $ 2,100$2,100 | Austin β19% |
| Laundry | $ 3.5$3.5 | $ 4$4 | Austin β12% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 23$23 | $ 24$24 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 33$33 | $ 34$34 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | $ 93$93 | $ 96$96 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 84$84 | $ 86$86 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 23$23 | $ 24$24 | similar |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Austin or Chicago?
Austin is 13% cheaper than Chicago. Daily budget $310 vs $333; a month $5,920 vs $6,989.
How do monthly costs compare between Austin and Chicago?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Austin is about $5,920 and Chicago about $6,989 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.