Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and San Angelo, TX

For one person, living costs are similar in Chicago, IL and in San Angelo, TX: $3,037 and $3,008 a month, rent and utilities included.

Chicago, IL, United States
San Angelo, TX, United States
Chicago, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$3,037
/mo nomad
San Angelo, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$3,008
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

A single person spends $3,037 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,008 in San Angelo, TX, rent included.

  • Chicago, IL $3,037
  • San Angelo, TX $3,008

A couple spends around $4,518 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,572 in San Angelo, TX, rent included.

  • Chicago, IL $4,518
  • San Angelo, TX $3,572

A family of three spends $5,999 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,137 in San Angelo, TX, rent included.

  • Chicago, IL $5,999
  • San Angelo, TX $4,137

Chicago, IL and San Angelo, TX have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Chicago, IL and San Angelo, TX sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 123%, San Angelo, TX by 121%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
San Angelo, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.71 $20.71
$20.84 $20.84
-0.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$89.2 $89.2
$35.03 $35.03
154.72%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.19 $13.19
$8.92 $8.92
47.87%
Cappuccino
$5.66 $5.66
$5.45 $5.45
3.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$3.05 $3.05
-13.44%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28 $2.28
$2.49 $2.49
-8.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.87 $6.87
$7.10 $7.10
-3.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.84 $8.84
$8.77 $8.77
0.80%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
San Angelo, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.25 $1.25
$1.10 $1.10
13.64%
White Bread (500g)
$3.72 $3.72
$3.66 $3.66
1.64%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.39 $5.39
$3.27 $3.27
64.83%
Eggs
$4.74 $4.74
$4.06 $4.06
16.75%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.84 $13.84
$12.97 $12.97
6.71%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.40 $14.40
$13.95 $13.95
3.23%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.38 $18.38
$16.25 $16.25
13.11%
Apples (1kg)
$5.22 $5.22
$4.84 $4.84
7.85%
Banana (1kg)
$1.98 $1.98
$1.52 $1.52
30.26%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.06 $4.06
$5.18 $5.18
-21.62%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.97 $4.97
$4.50 $4.50
10.44%
Potato (1kg)
$2.67 $2.67
$2.95 $2.95
-9.49%
Onion (1kg)
$2.66 $2.66
$2.32 $2.32
14.66%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.24 $2.24
$1.74 $1.74
28.74%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.13 $3.13
$2.11 $2.11
48.34%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.82 $13.82
$9.84 $9.84
40.45%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.88 $14.88
$15.28 $15.28
-2.62%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.54 $2.54
$2.78 $2.78
-8.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.51 $3.51
$3.35 $3.35
4.78%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
San Angelo, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.43 $2.43
$1.02 $1.02
138.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$73.5 $73.5
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.18 $3.18
$2.82 $2.82
12.77%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.39 $1.39
$1.61 $1.61
-13.66%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.03 $25.03
$35.47 $35.47
-29.43%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.20 $1.20
$0.87 $0.87
37.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K $35.0K
$34.8K $34.8K
0.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K $26.7K
$27.0K $27.0K
-1.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
San Angelo, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$194 $194
$224 $224
-13.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$69.5 $69.5
$50.6 $50.6
37.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.6 $61.6
$69.8 $69.8
-11.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
San Angelo, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$47.90 $47.90
$25.28 $25.28
89.48%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.34 $27.34
$10.08 $10.08
171.23%
Cinema Ticket
$17.81 $17.81
$13.79 $13.79
29.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
San Angelo, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,794 $1,794
$1,476 $1,476
21.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.9K $31.9K
$21.0K $21.0K
51.92%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
San Angelo, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.0 $67.0
$52.0 $52.0
28.96%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.1 $52.1
$44.40 $44.40
17.43%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$102 $102
$86.0 $86.0
18.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$144 $144
$104 $104
38.00%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
San Angelo, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,526 $2,526
$927 $927
172.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,578 $1,578
$1,725 $1,725
-8.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,738 $4,738
$1,394 $1,394
240.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,693 $2,693
$1,524 $1,524
76.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,190 $4,190
$1,828 $1,828
129.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,768 $2,768
$1,853 $1,853
49.40%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
San Angelo, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,931 $4,931
$3,488 $3,488
41.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.81
6.82
-0.15%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 25, 2026

Last update for San Angelo, TX: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
$1.6K
San Angelo, TX
$1.7K 9.3% $147
Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
$447
San Angelo, TX
$408 8.8% $40
Eating Out
Chicago, IL
$345
San Angelo, TX
$334 3.1% $11
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
$326
San Angelo, TX
$345 5.9% $19
Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
$164
San Angelo, TX
$129 21.4% $35
Getting Around
Chicago, IL
$93
San Angelo, TX
$15 * 84% $78
Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
$84
San Angelo, TX
$53 36.7% $31

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,526 in Chicago, IL versus $927 in San Angelo, TX. 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 41% higher in Chicago, IL. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89 in Chicago, IL versus $35 in San Angelo, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $408 – making San Angelo, TX the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Chicago, IL
🇺🇸 San Angelo, TX
🕒 Local time
09:16 9:16 AM
09:16 9:16 AM
Same time as Chicago, IL
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,746,388
99,893
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chicago, IL San Angelo, TX 1,620 km ≈ 2 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Chicago, IL
  • San Angelo, TX

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
Chicago, IL vs San Angelo, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What salary covers living expenses in Chicago, IL compared to San Angelo, TX?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,555 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,512 in San Angelo, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Chicago, IL and San Angelo, TX?
Rent is clearly cheaper in San Angelo, TX, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $927 there versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Chicago, IL and San Angelo, TX?
Kindergarten costs $1,794 per month in Chicago, IL and $1,476 in San Angelo, TX. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 10% more in Chicago, IL, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,037 in Chicago, IL and $3,008 in San Angelo, TX. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Where should families live: Chicago, IL or San Angelo, TX?
Families tend to lean toward San Angelo, TX – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How do I decide between Chicago, IL and San Angelo, TX?
If budget matters most, go with San Angelo, TX. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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