Texas is by far way better an option than Chicago as tech jobs are more prevalent in Austin/Dallas. Also TX is a more pro-business state and gives plenty of incentives for businesses to open shop there. The weather in Chicago is very unpredictable and very windy, it'll get depressing after a while. The living costs in TX is low, i know friends who bought a mansion sized house for like $300k. You won't be able to do this in Chicago, unless you buy far out of the city area. Oh and the weather in TX is pretty sweet. Make sure to read what TX policies are for giving driver's licenses to DACA beneficiaries. They elected a new republican governor recently, so read up on his ideologies, specifically towards immigrants. He is married to a Mexican American woman, just found out online. Best of luck