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 $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,069 in San Angelo, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,596 in San Angelo, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,124 in San Angelo, TX, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 2% more than San Angelo, TX, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and San Angelo, TX sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, San Angelo, TX by 124%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$20.13 $20.13

-1.04%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$34.59 $34.59

155.83%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$8.90 $8.90

45.39%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.59 $5.59

-0.89%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$3.08 $3.08

-11.04%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.40 $2.40

-1.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$7.09 $7.09

0.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$9.19 $9.19

-5.01%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.08 $1.08

24.07%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.71 $3.71

12.40%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$3.26 $3.26

75.77%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$4.29 $4.29

13.99%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$12.73 $12.73

16.03%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$14.12 $14.12

5.17%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$16.68 $16.68

17.57%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$4.35 $4.35

28.05%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.48 $1.48

29.73%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$4.56 $4.56

-8.55%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$4.51 $4.51

7.76%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.72 $2.72

4.41%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.66 $2.66

5.26%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.83 $1.83

20.22%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.15 $2.15

42.33%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$10.14 $10.14

59.37%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$15.22 $15.22

-2.63%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.90 $2.90

-12.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.42 $3.42

-2.05%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.71 $2.71

21.77%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.64 $1.64

-17.07%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$35.39 $35.39

-29.02%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.74 $0.74

58.11%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$36.8K $36.8K

-2.30%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$27.4K $27.4K

-4.38%

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

$191 $191

$227 $227

-15.74%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$49.09 $49.09

38.36%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$68.2 $68.2

-9.55%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$24.79 $24.79

156.03%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

$9.80 $9.80

176.94%

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$14.24 $14.24

26.54%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,513 $1,513

0.61%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$21.4K $21.4K

46.30%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$51.4 $51.4

23.94%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$42.79 $42.79

29.12%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$87.3 $87.3

15.05%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$103 $103

49.17%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$937 $937

156.67%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,742 $1,742

-5.15%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$1,365 $1,365

235.20%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$1,529 $1,529

81.24%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$1,747 $1,747

130.70%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$1,785 $1,785

53.79%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$3,334 $3,334

44.08%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.47

-1.39%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for San Angelo, TX: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $937 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 44% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $35.00 in San Angelo, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $407 – 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

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $3,069 in San Angelo, TX – roughly 2% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,603 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 San Angelo, 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $35.00 in San Angelo, TX. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 14% 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 $3,000 monthly budget goes further in San Angelo, TX, where all-in costs run around $3,069, than in Chicago, IL at $3,117. In San Angelo, TX it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,069 in San Angelo, TX to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with San Angelo, 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.