Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Streamwood, IL and Austin, TX

For one person, living is cheaper in Streamwood, IL: $2,519 a month against $2,698 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $2,100 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Streamwood, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$2,519
/mo nomad
Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,698
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Streamwood, IL and in Austin, TX

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,519 in Streamwood, IL versus $2,698 in Austin, TX.

  • Streamwood, IL $2,519
  • Austin, TX $2,698

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,740 in Streamwood, IL versus $4,160 in Austin, TX.

  • Streamwood, IL $3,740
  • Austin, TX $4,160

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,961 in Streamwood, IL versus $5,622 in Austin, TX.

  • Streamwood, IL $4,961
  • Austin, TX $5,622

Living in Streamwood, IL costs roughly 7% less than in Austin, TX, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Streamwood, IL 86% above, Austin, TX 99% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Streamwood, IL
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.86 $19.86
$20.63 $20.63
-3.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.0 $76.0
$84.6 $84.6
-10.18%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.94 $11.94
$12.07 $12.07
-1.08%
Cappuccino
$5.39 $5.39
$5.48 $5.48
-1.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04 $3.04
$3.80 $3.80
-20.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 $2.50
$2.47 $2.47
1.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.85 $5.85
$8.05 $8.05
-27.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.80 $7.80
$8.88 $8.88
-12.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Streamwood, IL
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.93 $0.93
$1.11 $1.11
-16.22%
White Bread (500g)
$3.49 $3.49
$3.72 $3.72
-6.18%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.93 $2.93
$3.37 $3.37
-13.06%
Eggs
$3.57 $3.57
$4.32 $4.32
-17.36%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.14 $10.14
$13.13 $13.13
-22.77%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.30 $11.30
$14.15 $14.15
-20.14%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.36 $14.36
$16.33 $16.33
-12.06%
Apples (1kg)
$4.78 $4.78
$4.55 $4.55
5.05%
Banana (1kg)
$1.67 $1.67
$1.46 $1.46
14.38%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.46 $4.46
$4.71 $4.71
-5.31%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.81 $4.81
$4.15 $4.15
15.90%
Potato (1kg)
$2.75 $2.75
$2.58 $2.58
6.59%
Onion (1kg)
$3.09 $3.09
$2.35 $2.35
31.49%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.54 $1.54
$1.77 $1.77
-12.99%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.49 $1.49
$2.14 $2.14
-30.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.86 $10.86
$10.10 $10.10
7.52%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.14 $12.14
$15.19 $15.19
-20.08%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70 $1.70
$2.82 $2.82
-39.72%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.38 $4.38
$3.44 $3.44
27.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Streamwood, IL
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.04 $2.04
$1.54 $1.54
32.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.10 $40.10
$40.99 $40.99
-2.17%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.08 $4.08
$2.80 $2.80
45.71%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 $2.05
$1.60 $1.60
28.12%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$44.25 $44.25
$34.34 $34.34
28.86%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$0.94 $0.94
15.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0K $25.0K
$34.0K $34.0K
-26.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2K $25.2K
$26.8K $26.8K
-5.98%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Streamwood, IL
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$173 $173
$223 $223
-22.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$51.0 $51.0
$58.9 $58.9
-13.50%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.9 $54.9
$70.6 $70.6
-22.21%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Streamwood, IL
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.70 $41.70
$57.7 $57.7
-27.73%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.19 $8.19
$16.53 $16.53
-50.45%
Cinema Ticket
$15.23 $15.23
$14.26 $14.26
6.80%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Streamwood, IL
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,505 $1,505
$1,511 $1,511
-0.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.3K $23.3K
$20.9K $20.9K
11.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Streamwood, IL
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8 $56.8
$51.3 $51.3
10.83%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.21 $45.21
$44.17 $44.17
2.35%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$98.2 $98.2
$87.0 $87.0
12.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102 $102
$104 $104
-2.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Streamwood, IL
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,616 $1,616
$1,940 $1,940
-16.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,287 $1,287
$1,316 $1,316
-2.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,495 $2,495
$3,664 $3,664
-31.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,185 $2,185
$2,565 $2,565
-14.81%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,723 $2,723
$7,354 $7,354
-62.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,365 $2,365
$3,129 $3,129
-24.41%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Streamwood, IL
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$7,119 $7,119
$5,286 $5,286
34.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.43
6.79
-5.30%

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

Last update for Streamwood, IL: October 20, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Streamwood, IL
$1.3K
Austin, TX
$1.3K 2.3% $29
Groceries & Markets
Streamwood, IL
$356
Austin, TX
$406 14% $50
Eating Out
Streamwood, IL
$326
Austin, TX
$350 7.2% $24
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Streamwood, IL
$279
Austin, TX
$352 26.3% $73
Clothing & Footwear
Streamwood, IL
$136
Austin, TX
$129 5.1% $6.9
Sport & Entertainment
Streamwood, IL
$72
Austin, TX
$86 19.5% $14
Getting Around
Streamwood, IL
$63
Austin, TX
$58 7.5% $4.7

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,616 in Streamwood, IL and $1,940 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Streamwood, IL pays 35% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $76.0 in Streamwood, IL vs $85.0 in Austin, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $356 vs $406 per month, with Streamwood, IL cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Streamwood, IL
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🕒 Local time
21:34 9:34 PM
21:34 9:34 PM
Same time as Streamwood, IL
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
37,535
974,447
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Streamwood, IL Austin, TX 1,560 km ≈ 2 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Streamwood, IL
  • Austin, 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
Streamwood, IL vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Streamwood, IL or Austin, TX?
Streamwood, IL wins on cost – living expenses run 7% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Streamwood, IL the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Streamwood, IL or in Austin, TX?
Average pay runs 35% higher in Streamwood, IL, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Streamwood, IL compared to Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,616 in Streamwood, IL versus $1,940 in Austin, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Streamwood, IL compared to Austin, TX?
All in, you'll spend $2,519 per month in Streamwood, IL versus $2,698 in Austin, TX – a 7% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Streamwood, IL compared to Austin, TX?
A monthly transit pass in Streamwood, IL runs roughly 2% less than in Austin, TX. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Streamwood, IL or in Austin, TX?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,000. Streamwood, IL is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Streamwood, IL or Austin, TX?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Streamwood, IL gentler on the wallet – expenses run 7% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Streamwood, IL vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?