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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,479 in San Angelo, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,010 in San Angelo, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,542 in San Angelo, TX, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 12% cheaper than San Angelo, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and San Angelo, TX sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, San Angelo, TX by 160%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$19.56 $19.56

6.90%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$75.8 $75.8

29.48%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$9.93 $9.93

19.44%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.70 $5.70

-1.75%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.68 $2.68

14.55%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.17 $2.17

13.82%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$6.11 $6.11

16.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.98 $7.98

1.25%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.10 $1.10

-4.55%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.29 $3.29

24.92%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$3.48 $3.48

61.21%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.23 $4.23

6.62%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$12.06 $12.06

18.33%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$10.64 $10.64

39.94%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$14.27 $14.27

34.48%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.83 $4.83

6.42%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.56 $1.56

13.46%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.40 $4.40

-0.23%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$3.96 $3.96

15.15%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.83 $2.83

-10.25%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.85 $2.85

-3.51%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.02 $2.02

19.80%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.19 $2.19

19.63%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$8.57 $8.57

74.10%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$14.71 $14.71

0.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.37 $2.37

3.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.45 $3.45

8.12%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.97 $1.97

25.89%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$29.86 $29.86

152.61%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$4.28 $4.28

-25.70%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.84 $1.84

-22.83%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$35.26 $35.26

-29.27%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.72 $0.72

47.22%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$25.7K $25.7K

24.32%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.9K $25.9K

0.55%

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

$185 $185

$176 $176

5.21%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$50.7 $50.7

21.85%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$49.15 $49.15

36.15%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.47 $43.47

72.92%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

$10.19 $10.19

28.36%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$15.10 $15.10

-2.58%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,372 $1,372

47.29%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$22.5K $22.5K

75.08%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$55.3 $55.3

16.92%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$45.88 $45.88

14.32%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$84.6 $84.6

15.63%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$117 $117

26.54%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,592 $1,592

45.24%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$2,239 $2,239

-28.97%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,679 $2,679

71.99%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$1,781 $1,781

55.98%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$1,783 $1,783

119.93%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$1,793 $1,793

45.71%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$3,331 $3,331

56.64%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.45

2.33%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for San Angelo, TX: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,592 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 57% higher in Chicago, IL, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $76.0 in San Angelo, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $375 – making San Angelo, 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

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

San Angelo, TX costs about 13% more than Chicago, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $5,218 in San Angelo, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Interestingly, groceries are about 19% cheaper in San Angelo, TX – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $76.0 in San Angelo, TX. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $3,479 in San Angelo, TX. 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL to $3,479 in San Angelo, TX. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, San Angelo, TX makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.