Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fort Lauderdale, FL Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fort Lauderdale, FL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,084 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,304 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,637 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,982 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,191 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,660 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 7% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale, FL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Fort Lauderdale, FL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Fort Lauderdale, FL by 147%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.81 $20.81

$21.26 $21.26

-2.12%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.6 $98.6

$112 $112

-11.68%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.90 $11.90

$10.33 $10.33

15.20%

Cappuccino

$5.84 $5.84

$5.12 $5.12

14.06%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.79 $2.79

10.04%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.07 $2.07

13.53%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$5.83 $5.83

17.84%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.07 $8.07

$6.43 $6.43

25.51%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.96 $0.96

9.38%

White Bread (500g)

$3.98 $3.98

$4.08 $4.08

-2.45%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.60 $5.60

$3.34 $3.34

67.66%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$3.75 $3.75

21.33%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.20 $14.20

$11.76 $11.76

20.75%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.90 $14.90

$9.21 $9.21

61.78%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.08 $19.08

$19.54 $19.54

-2.35%

Apples (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$5.44 $5.44

-2.39%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.56 $1.56

9.62%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$4.52 $4.52

-6.19%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$5.40 $5.40

-19.07%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$3.63 $3.63

-29.48%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$3.52 $3.52

-20.45%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.22 $2.22

11.26%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.07 $2.07

30.43%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.95 $14.95

$9.84 $9.84

51.93%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$11.81 $11.81

24.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.75 $1.75

35.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$2.76 $2.76

29.35%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.44 $2.44

$2.35 $2.35

3.83%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.2 $75.2

$71.1 $71.1

5.86%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.35 $3.35

$4.48 $4.48

-25.22%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.57 $1.57

-12.74%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.29 $25.29

$22.21 $22.21

13.87%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.86 $0.86

26.74%

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

$32.3K $32.3K

$26.0K $26.0K

24.28%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$24.4K $24.4K

8.15%

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

$188 $188

$173 $173

8.73%

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

$63.3 $63.3

$59.9 $59.9

5.70%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$69.3 $69.3

-4.43%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.6 $75.6

$77.1 $77.1

-1.96%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.20 $13.20

$13.24 $13.24

-0.30%

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$15.22 $15.22

-2.76%

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

$2,097 $2,097

$804 $804

160.69%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$16.2K $16.2K

137.76%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.9 $64.9

$46.86 $46.86

38.43%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$45.33 $45.33

13.81%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.3 $96.3

$88.2 $88.2

9.10%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$146 $146

$95.6 $95.6

53.03%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,332 $2,332

$2,283 $2,283

2.15%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,579 $1,579

$1,922 $1,922

-17.87%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,775 $4,775

$3,751 $3,751

27.31%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,725 $2,725

$3,681 $3,681

-25.96%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,023 $4,023

$5,497 $5,497

-26.80%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,684 $2,684

$4,226 $4,226

-36.50%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,981 $4,981

$4,653 $4,653

7.05%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.53

1.07%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 20, 2026

Last update for Fort Lauderdale, FL: July 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,332 in Chicago, IL versus $2,283 in Fort Lauderdale, 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 7% 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $112 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Groceries tell a different story – $445 in Chicago, IL vs $390 in Fort Lauderdale, FL – so Fort Lauderdale, 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,084 in Chicago, IL, $3,304 in Fort Lauderdale, FL – roughly 7% apart. Fort Lauderdale, FL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,626 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,956 in Fort Lauderdale, 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 14% cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $112 in Fort Lauderdale, 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 $3,084 in Chicago, IL and $3,304 in Fort Lauderdale, 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 $3,084 in Chicago, IL to $3,304 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Fort Lauderdale, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.