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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,520 in Fort Myers, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,655 in Fort Myers, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,790 in Fort Myers, FL, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 13% cheaper than Fort Myers, FL, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Chicago, IL and Fort Myers, FL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Fort Myers, FL by 163%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$20.11 $20.11

3.98%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$80.8 $80.8

21.45%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$10.80 $10.80

9.81%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.39 $4.39

27.56%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.51 $2.51

22.31%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.99 $1.99

24.12%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$4.07 $4.07

75.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$5.93 $5.93

36.26%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.11 $1.11

-5.41%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$4.15 $4.15

-0.96%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$3.63 $3.63

54.55%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.40 $4.40

2.50%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$12.99 $12.99

9.85%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$11.65 $11.65

27.81%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$16.02 $16.02

19.79%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$5.98 $5.98

-14.05%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.56 $1.56

13.46%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.24 $4.24

3.54%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.82 $4.82

-5.39%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.50 $3.50

-27.43%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$3.73 $3.73

-26.27%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.39 $2.39

1.26%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.58 $2.58

1.55%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$8.17 $8.17

82.62%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$17.32 $17.32

-14.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.15 $2.15

14.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.45 $3.45

8.12%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.02 $2.02

22.77%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$36.89 $36.89

104.47%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$2.47 $2.47

28.74%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.56 $1.56

-8.97%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$29.85 $29.85

-16.45%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.93 $0.93

13.98%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$29.6K $29.6K

7.90%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.9K $24.9K

4.72%

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

$185 $185

$170 $170

8.81%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$61.8 $61.8

-0.05%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$67.7 $67.7

-1.12%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$52.6 $52.6

42.94%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

$9.93 $9.93

31.72%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$14.95 $14.95

-1.61%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,319 $1,319

53.21%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$14.2K $14.2K

177.40%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$42.32 $42.32

52.67%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$36.25 $36.25

44.69%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$83.3 $83.3

17.45%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$87.7 $87.7

68.34%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,915 $1,915

20.79%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$2,167 $2,167

-26.61%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$3,145 $3,145

46.53%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,800 $2,800

-0.75%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,685 $2,685

46.08%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,767 $2,767

-5.57%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$3,885 $3,885

34.30%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.48

1.85%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Fort Myers, FL: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,915 in Fort Myers, 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 34% 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $81.0 in Fort Myers, FL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $421 – making Fort Myers, 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 Fort Myers, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $3,520 in Fort Myers, FL – roughly 14% apart. Fort Myers, FL costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $5,280 in Fort Myers, 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 6% cheaper in Fort Myers, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $81.0 in Fort Myers, 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $3,520 in Fort Myers, 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL to $3,520 in Fort Myers, 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 Myers, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.