Median rent is 34% lower in Brownsville ($906/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Brownsville, where the median home runs $122,400 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $48,675 a year).
City A
Brownsville, TX
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Brownsville, TX?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Brownsville
Texas
Chicago
Illinois
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Brownsville — median rent of $906/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 34% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $122,400 in Brownsville — 61% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Illinois tops out at 4.95% — giving Brownsville a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 6.25% in Illinois; Chicago has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Brownsville
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 21.0 AQI (Good) compared to 54.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Brownsville if you prioritize cheaper rent ($906/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 21.0).
Pick Brownsville if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Brownsville cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Brownsville vs Chicago?
Median rent is $906/mo in Brownsville, TX and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Brownsville, TX has the lower rent by about 34%.
Which has higher salaries — Brownsville or Chicago?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville, TX and $75,134 in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Chicago, IL has better air quality on average: 21.0 AQI versus 54.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Brownsville or Chicago?
Texas has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in Chicago to match my Brownsville income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology