Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Cape Canaveral, FL

For one person, living is cheaper in Cape Canaveral, FL: $2,574 a month against $3,139 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $6,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Chicago, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$3,139
/mo nomad
Cape Canaveral, FL
🇺🇸 United States
$2,574
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chicago, IL and in Cape Canaveral, FL

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

A single person spends $3,139 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,574 in Cape Canaveral, FL, rent included.

  • Chicago, IL $3,139
  • Cape Canaveral, FL $2,574

A couple spends around $4,627 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,789 in Cape Canaveral, FL, rent included.

  • Chicago, IL $4,627
  • Cape Canaveral, FL $3,789

A family of three spends $6,115 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,003 in Cape Canaveral, FL, rent included.

  • Chicago, IL $6,115
  • Cape Canaveral, FL $5,003

Chicago, IL costs about 22% more than Cape Canaveral, FL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Chicago, IL and Cape Canaveral, FL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 132%, Cape Canaveral, FL by 90%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.65 $20.65
$12.96 $12.96
59.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$90.2 $90.2
$61.1 $61.1
47.63%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.94 $12.94
$8.96 $8.96
44.42%
Cappuccino
$5.60 $5.60
$4.98 $4.98
12.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$1.94 $1.94
36.08%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27 $2.27
$0.98 $0.98
131.63%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.98 $6.98
$5.12 $5.12
36.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.83 $8.83
$6.17 $6.17
43.11%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.27 $1.27
$0.96 $0.96
32.29%
White Bread (500g)
$3.80 $3.80
$3.95 $3.95
-3.80%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.30 $5.30
$4.81 $4.81
10.19%
Eggs
$4.76 $4.76
$2.14 $2.14
122.43%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.96 $13.96
$13.78 $13.78
1.31%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.61 $14.61
$8.84 $8.84
65.27%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.77 $18.77
$13.46 $13.46
39.45%
Apples (1kg)
$5.19 $5.19
$5.52 $5.52
-5.98%
Banana (1kg)
$1.98 $1.98
$1.70 $1.70
16.47%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.93 $3.93
$3.45 $3.45
13.91%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.96 $4.96
$3.83 $3.83
29.50%
Potato (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$2.64 $2.64
4.55%
Onion (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$2.28 $2.28
21.05%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.22 $2.22
$2.32 $2.32
-4.31%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.98 $2.98
$2.39 $2.39
24.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.02 $14.02
$4.89 $4.89
186.71%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.28 $15.28
$14.90 $14.90
2.55%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.58 $2.58
$2.62 $2.62
-1.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.50 $3.50
$5.31 $5.31
-34.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.47 $2.47
$1.98 $1.98
24.75%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.8 $74.8
$42.77 $42.77
74.80%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$2.57 $2.57
29.96%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.43 $1.43
$1.48 $1.48
-3.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$24.32 $24.32
$20.28 $20.28
19.92%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.26 $1.26
$0.99 $0.99
27.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K $35.0K
$32.6K $32.6K
7.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$23.6K $23.6K
10.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$193 $193
$208 $208
-7.55%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$68.3 $68.3
$71.9 $71.9
-5.13%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.3 $61.3
$75.9 $75.9
-19.24%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$54.1 $54.1
$44.43 $44.43
21.81%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.92 $27.92
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$17.74 $17.74
$10.17 $10.17
74.43%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,652 $1,652
$1,501 $1,501
10.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.1K $31.1K
$22.3K $22.3K
39.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.1 $66.1
$55.8 $55.8
18.45%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.2 $51.2
$29.91 $29.91
71.31%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$100 $100
$86.6 $86.6
15.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$141 $141
$122 $122
15.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,446 $2,446
$1,610 $1,610
51.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,678 $1,678
$1,343 $1,343
24.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,717 $4,717
$2,547 $2,547
85.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,795 $2,795
$2,394 $2,394
16.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,105 $4,105
$2,720 $2,720
50.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,650 $2,650
$2,141 $2,141
23.74%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,866 $4,866
$4,824 $4,824
0.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.81
6
13.50%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 19, 2026

Last update for Cape Canaveral, FL: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
$1.7K
Cape Canaveral, FL
$1.3K 20% $335
Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
$449
Cape Canaveral, FL
$378 16% $72
Eating Out
Chicago, IL
$343
Cape Canaveral, FL
$240 30.1% $103
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
$322
Cape Canaveral, FL
$356 10.6% $34
Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
$161
Cape Canaveral, FL
$133 17.8% $29
Getting Around
Chicago, IL
$95
Cape Canaveral, FL
$61 36.2% $34
Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
$90
Cape Canaveral, FL
$65 27.7% $25

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,446 in Chicago, IL versus $1,610 in Cape Canaveral, 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 1% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $90.0 in Chicago, IL versus $61.0 in Cape Canaveral, FL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $449 vs $378 – making Cape Canaveral, FL the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Chicago, IL
🇺🇸 Cape Canaveral, FL
🕒 Local time
06:40 6:40 AM
07:40 7:40 AM
1 h ahead of Chicago, IL
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,746,388
9,912
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chicago, IL Cape Canaveral, FL 1,620 km ≈ 2 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Chicago, IL
  • Cape Canaveral, FL

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
Chicago, IL vs Cape Canaveral, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chicago, IL or Cape Canaveral, FL?
Chicago, IL costs about 22% more than Cape Canaveral, FL, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Chicago, IL and in Cape Canaveral, FL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,708 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,862 in Cape Canaveral, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chicago, IL or Cape Canaveral, FL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Cape Canaveral, FL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Chicago, IL and in Cape Canaveral, FL?
Kindergarten costs $1,652 per month in Chicago, IL and $1,501 in Cape Canaveral, FL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Chicago, IL or in Cape Canaveral, FL?
Groceries cost about 19% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Chicago, IL or in Cape Canaveral, FL?
$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,139 in Chicago, IL and $2,574 in Cape Canaveral, FL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chicago, IL or Cape Canaveral, FL?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Cape Canaveral, FL costs $2,574 versus $3,139 in Chicago, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Chicago, IL or to Cape Canaveral, FL?
If budget matters most, go with Cape Canaveral, FL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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