Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Defuniak Springs, FL Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Defuniak Springs, FL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,472 in Defuniak Springs, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,598 in Defuniak Springs, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,724 in Defuniak Springs, FL, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 26% more than Defuniak Springs, FL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Defuniak Springs, FL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Defuniak Springs, FL by 80%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.86 $19.86

$26.68 $26.68

-25.56%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$78.8 $78.8

12.16%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.23 $13.23

$12.06 $12.06

9.70%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$4.96 $4.96

18.15%

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

$2.61 $2.61

$2.74 $2.74

-4.74%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$2.09 $2.09

11.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 $7.03

$5.05 $5.05

39.21%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.25 $9.25

$7.15 $7.15

29.37%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.95 $0.95

41.05%

White Bread (500g)

$4.19 $4.19

$3.70 $3.70

13.24%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$1.94 $1.94

183.51%

Eggs

$4.71 $4.71

$2.92 $2.92

61.30%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$11.53 $11.53

27.67%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$10.09 $10.09

44.00%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$13.84 $13.84

42.27%

Apples (1kg)

$5.64 $5.64

$4.08 $4.08

38.24%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.54 $1.54

27.92%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$4.37 $4.37

-7.55%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$2.14 $2.14

136.92%

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$1.98 $1.98

48.48%

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$1.83 $1.83

59.56%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.68 $1.68

35.71%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.24 $2.24

39.29%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.19 $16.19

$7.18 $7.18

125.49%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$10.98 $10.98

38.16%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.85 $1.85

44.32%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$2.04 $2.04

70.59%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.24 $2.24

13.39%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 $3.16

$2.55 $2.55

23.92%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.46 $1.46

-6.16%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.66 $22.66

$28.03 $28.03

-19.16%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$0.89 $0.89

34.83%

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

$37.0K $37.0K

$37.4K $37.4K

-1.09%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$26.1K $26.1K

-0.09%

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

$190 $190

$153 $153

23.96%

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

$68.5 $68.5

$50.7 $50.7

35.18%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$65.9 $65.9

-7.30%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

$41.92 $41.92

52.15%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$18.28 $18.28

$6.98 $6.98

161.89%

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

$1,525 $1,525

$961 $961

58.57%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.0K $32.0K

$13.6K $13.6K

136.04%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$24.25 $24.25

164.00%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.4 $54.4

$17.02 $17.02

219.62%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$96.3 $96.3

4.42%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$105 $105

45.49%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,421 $2,421

$1,599 $1,599

51.40%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,690 $1,690

$1,294 $1,294

30.62%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,584 $4,584

$2,473 $2,473

85.40%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,782 $2,782

$2,136 $2,136

30.26%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

$2,719 $2,719

53.35%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

$2,401 $2,401

14.06%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,777 $4,777

$3,057 $3,057

56.26%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.1

4.59%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Last update for Defuniak Springs, FL: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $1,599 in Defuniak Springs, 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 56% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $79.0 in Defuniak Springs, FL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $329 – making Defuniak Springs, FL the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Defuniak Springs, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $2,472 in Defuniak Springs, FL – roughly 26% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,708 in Defuniak Springs, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Defuniak Springs, FL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $79.0 in Defuniak Springs, FL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 42% 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.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,106 in Chicago, IL and $2,472 in Defuniak Springs, FL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,472 in Defuniak Springs, FL to $3,106 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Defuniak Springs, 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.