Salary Comparison
Data Entry Keyers: Chicago vs Brownsville
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Chicago, IL
$40,990/yr
Brownsville, TX
$34,005/yr
Our recommendation: Brownsville, TX
Brownsville offers $657 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Chicago
Brownsville
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$40,990
$34,005
+$6,985
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$2,494
$2,069
+$425
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
108
68
+40 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,910
$1,828
+$1,082
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,750
$920
+$830
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$-416
$241
$657
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
0.86×
1.13×
-0.27×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
2/10 (Tight)
4/10 (Tight)
-2
A vs B
Chicago — Full Details
Brownsville — Full Details
Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.