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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,286 per month in Brownwood, TX vs $3,051 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,388 per month in Brownwood, TX vs $4,638 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,491 per month in Brownwood, TX vs $6,224 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Brownwood, TX is about 25% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Brownwood, TX and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Brownwood, TX by 71%, Chicago, IL by 128%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$13.47 $13.47

$20.67 $20.67

-34.83%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75.6 $75.6

$100 $100

-24.74%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.04 $10.04

$11.86 $11.86

-15.35%

Cappuccino

$4.74 $4.74

$5.54 $5.54

-14.44%

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

$2.40 $2.40

$3.06 $3.06

-21.57%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.82 $1.82

$2.48 $2.48

-26.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.10 $6.10

$6.92 $6.92

-11.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.05 $8.05

$8.13 $8.13

-0.98%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.69 $0.69

$1.04 $1.04

-33.65%

White Bread (500g)

$1.44 $1.44

$3.91 $3.91

-63.17%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.05 $2.05

$5.42 $5.42

-62.18%

Eggs

$2.06 $2.06

$4.48 $4.48

-54.02%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.27 $8.27

$14.52 $14.52

-43.04%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.63 $8.63

$15.21 $15.21

-43.26%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.19 $13.19

$19.25 $19.25

-31.48%

Apples (1kg)

$3.03 $3.03

$5.39 $5.39

-43.78%

Banana (1kg)

$1.31 $1.31

$1.69 $1.69

-22.49%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$4.32 $4.32

-35.19%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.10 $2.10

$4.51 $4.51

-53.44%

Potato (1kg)

$2.19 $2.19

$2.56 $2.56

-14.45%

Onion (1kg)

$2.05 $2.05

$2.70 $2.70

-24.07%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.73 $1.73

$2.41 $2.41

-28.22%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.40 $2.40

$2.62 $2.62

-8.40%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.46 $10.46

$15.02 $15.02

-30.36%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.24 $15.24

$14.71 $14.71

3.60%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.78 $1.78

$2.48 $2.48

-28.23%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 $2.98

$3.69 $3.69

-19.24%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.02 $2.02

$2.55 $2.55

-20.78%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.97 $2.97

$3.29 $3.29

-9.73%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.82 $1.82

$1.43 $1.43

27.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.67 $28.67

$24.72 $24.72

15.98%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.71 $0.71

$1.09 $1.09

-34.86%

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

$32.4K $32.4K

$31.8K $31.8K

2.06%

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

$21.8K $21.8K

$26.4K $26.4K

-17.62%

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

$100 $100

$183 $183

-45.18%

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

$46.13 $46.13

$61.8 $61.8

-25.39%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$40.19 $40.19

$65.0 $65.0

-38.21%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.19 $43.19

$76.1 $76.1

-43.23%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$11.24 $11.24

$14.75 $14.75

-23.80%

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

$1,349 $1,349

$2,056 $2,056

-34.37%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.2K $23.2K

$38.5K $38.5K

-39.69%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.9 $53.9

$63.9 $63.9

-15.63%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.42 $34.42

$51.6 $51.6

-33.28%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$104 $104

$97.3 $97.3

7.30%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$98.5 $98.5

$147 $147

-33.07%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,609 $1,609

$2,349 $2,349

-31.50%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,379 $1,379

$1,581 $1,581

-12.79%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,662 $2,662

$4,708 $4,708

-43.47%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,265 $2,265

$2,716 $2,716

-16.58%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,013 $3,013

$3,976 $3,976

-24.22%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,394 $2,394

$2,632 $2,632

-9.03%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.21

6.6

-5.91%

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

Last update for Brownwood, TX: April 20, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,609 in Brownwood, TX versus $2,349 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $76 in Brownwood, TX versus $100 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $282 vs $447 – making Brownwood, 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

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

Yes – Chicago, IL is pricier by about 33%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,429 per month in Brownwood, TX and $4,577 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

A mid-range dinner for two costs $76.0 in Brownwood, TX and $100 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 59% 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 Brownwood, TX, where all-in costs run around $2,286, than in Chicago, IL at $3,051. In Brownwood, TX it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Brownwood, TX – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Brownwood, 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.