πA single person spends $3,250 per month in Boynton Beach, FL vs $3,066 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
πA couple spends around $4,621 per month in Boynton Beach, FL vs $4,583 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
πA family of three spends $5,993 per month in Boynton Beach, FL vs $6,100 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
πBoynton Beach, FL costs about 6% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Boynton Beach, FL and Chicago, IL sit above the global median β Boynton Beach, FL by 141%, Chicago, IL by 128%.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Boynton Beach, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.63$22.63
$20.53$20.53
10.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$119$119
$102$102
16.91%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.98$12.98
$12.03$12.03
7.90%
Cappuccino
$5.39$5.39
$5.62$5.62
-4.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92$2.92
$3.07$3.07
-4.89%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26$2.26
$2.42$2.42
-6.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.59$7.59
$6.98$6.98
8.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.45$7.45
$8.10$8.10
-8.02%
π Groceries & Markets
Boynton Beach, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18$1.18
$1.08$1.08
9.26%
White Bread(500g)
$4.32$4.32
$3.95$3.95
9.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.33$5.33
$5.52$5.52
-3.44%
Eggs
$4.86$4.86
$4.55$4.55
6.81%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.39$13.39
$14.58$14.58
-8.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.88$13.88
$14.91$14.91
-6.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$20.16$20.16
$18.83$18.83
7.06%
Apples(1kg)
$4.69$4.69
$5.34$5.34
-12.17%
Banana(1kg)
$1.78$1.78
$1.76$1.76
1.14%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.21$3.21
$4.39$4.39
-26.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.12$4.12
$4.37$4.37
-5.72%
Potato(1kg)
$2.66$2.66
$2.55$2.55
4.31%
Onion(1kg)
$3.21$3.21
$2.78$2.78
15.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.27$2.27
$2.46$2.46
-7.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.77$1.77
$2.66$2.66
-33.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.15$8.15
$14.74$14.74
-44.71%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.05$15.05
$15.17$15.17
-0.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.93$1.93
$2.45$2.45
-21.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53$2.53
$3.68$3.68
-31.25%
π Getting Around
Boynton Beach, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.85$4.85
$2.52$2.52
92.46%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$97.6$97.6
$74.5$74.5
30.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.99$3.99
$3.29$3.29
21.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.87$1.87
$1.43$1.43
30.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$44.14$44.14
$24.86$24.86
77.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.83$0.83
$1.09$1.09
-23.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.4K$30.4K
$31.3K$31.3K
-3.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K$26.1K
$26.8K$26.8K
-2.55%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Boynton Beach, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$229$229
$187$187
22.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$62.5$62.5
$62.4$62.4
0.29%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.3$68.3
$67.1$67.1
1.68%
π Sport & Entertainment
Boynton Beach, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.75$43.75
$75.2$75.2
-41.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.17$13.17
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.85$14.85
$15.21$15.21
-2.37%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Boynton Beach, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,258$1,258
$2,039$2,039
-38.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$25.3K$25.3K
$39.3K$39.3K
-35.69%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Boynton Beach, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.41$36.41
$64.0$64.0
-43.07%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.5$54.5
$50.6$50.6
7.67%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.4$83.4
$95.4$95.4
-12.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$68.9$68.9
$144$144
-52.01%
π Accommodation & Living
Boynton Beach, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,114$2,114
$2,355$2,355
-10.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,848$1,848
$1,613$1,613
14.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,531$3,531
$4,728$4,728
-25.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,539$2,539
$2,754$2,754
-7.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,050$3,050
$3,803$3,803
-19.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,580$2,580
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Boynton Beach, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,623$3,623
$4,738$4,738
-23.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.45
6.6
-2.27%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Boynton Beach, FL: April 13, 2026
Last update for Chicago, IL: April 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $2,114 in Boynton Beach, FL versus $2,355 in Chicago, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 31% higher in Chicago, IL, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $119 in Boynton Beach, FL versus $102 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story β $423 in Boynton Beach, FL vs $447 in Chicago, IL β so Boynton Beach, FL wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Boynton Beach, FL vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago, IL cheaper than Boynton Beach, FL?
Yes β Boynton Beach, FL is pricier by about 6%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,874 per month in Boynton Beach, FL and $4,599 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
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.
How do food prices compare in Boynton Beach, FL and Chicago, IL?
Interestingly, groceries are about 6% cheaper in Boynton Beach, FL β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is eating out cheaper in Boynton Beach, FL or Chicago, IL?
Is $3,000 enough to cover costs in Boynton Beach, FL or Chicago, IL?
$3,000 is a stretch for both β monthly costs hit $3,250 in Boynton Beach, FL and $3,066 in Chicago, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Is Boynton Beach, FL or Chicago, IL more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Chicago, IL β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Boynton Beach, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Boynton Beach, FL vs other spots: cost of living compared