Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Boynton Beach, FL Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Boynton Beach, FL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,184 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,599 in Boynton Beach, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,725 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,867 in Boynton Beach, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,266 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,135 in Boynton Beach, FL, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 12% cheaper than Boynton Beach, FL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Boynton Beach, FL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Boynton Beach, FL by 161%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.26 $20.26

$24.60 $24.60

-17.64%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.8 $88.8

$122 $122

-27.27%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.16 $13.16

$12.60 $12.60

4.44%

Cappuccino

$5.77 $5.77

$5.69 $5.69

1.41%

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

$2.63 $2.63

$3.08 $3.08

-14.61%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 $2.34

$2.62 $2.62

-10.69%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.06 $7.06

$7.93 $7.93

-10.97%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.18 $9.18

$7.93 $7.93

15.76%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$1.21 $1.21

7.44%

White Bread (500g)

$4.05 $4.05

$4.41 $4.41

-8.16%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.69 $5.69

$6.12 $6.12

-7.03%

Eggs

$4.85 $4.85

$5.38 $5.38

-9.85%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$11.36 $11.36

32.75%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.87 $14.87

$14.38 $14.38

3.41%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$24.22 $24.22

-20.40%

Apples (1kg)

$5.68 $5.68

$5.29 $5.29

7.37%

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.84 $1.84

4.89%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.10 $4.10

$3.66 $3.66

12.02%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.11 $5.11

$4.46 $4.46

14.57%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$3.00 $3.00

-2.67%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$3.12 $3.12

-11.22%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.30 $2.30

$2.31 $2.31

-0.43%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.04 $3.04

$1.78 $1.78

70.79%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.93 $15.93

$9.98 $9.98

59.62%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.06 $15.06

$15.01 $15.01

0.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.02 $2.02

25.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$2.57 $2.57

35.41%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.53 $2.53

$5.02 $5.02

-49.60%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.8 $74.8

$158 $158

-52.58%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.28 $3.28

$3.03 $3.03

8.25%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$0.72 $0.72

88.89%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.55 $22.55

$23.87 $23.87

-5.53%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$0.97 $0.97

25.77%

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

$36.1K $36.1K

$36.3K $36.3K

-0.65%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$26.3K $26.3K

-1.25%

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

$188 $188

$210 $210

-10.10%

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

$69.0 $69.0

$63.7 $63.7

8.39%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.6 $63.6

$72.9 $72.9

-12.83%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.4 $63.4

$30.50 $30.50

108.00%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.11 $27.11

Cinema Ticket

$17.90 $17.90

$15.14 $15.14

18.23%

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

$1,526 $1,526

$1,211 $1,211

26.04%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

$21.1K $21.1K

51.03%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.1 $62.1

$47.48 $47.48

30.73%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.4 $56.4

$57.2 $57.2

-1.49%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$91.0 $91.0

10.95%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$156 $156

$67.5 $67.5

131.41%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,342 $2,342

$2,624 $2,624

-10.72%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,698 $1,698

$2,102 $2,102

-19.20%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,576 $4,576

$3,587 $3,587

27.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,806 $2,806

$2,553 $2,553

9.88%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,130 $4,130

$3,067 $3,067

34.65%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,740 $2,740

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,891 $4,891

$3,602 $3,602

35.76%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.22

2.57%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 6, 2026

Last update for Boynton Beach, FL: September 5, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,342 in Chicago, IL versus $2,624 in Boynton Beach, FL. 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 36% higher in Chicago, IL, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Chicago, IL versus $122 in Boynton Beach, FL. Groceries tell a different story – $465 in Chicago, IL vs $446 in Boynton Beach, FL – 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

Chicago, IL vs Boynton Beach, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Boynton Beach, FL is pricier by about 13%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,776 per month in Chicago, IL and $5,399 in Boynton Beach, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in Boynton Beach, FL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Chicago, IL and $122 in Boynton Beach, FL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,184 in Chicago, IL and $3,599 in Boynton Beach, FL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Chicago, IL – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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.