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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,702 in Fort Pierce, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,994 in Fort Pierce, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,286 in Fort Pierce, FL, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 14% more than Fort Pierce, FL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Fort Pierce, FL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Fort Pierce, FL by 102%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$19.71 $19.71

6.09%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$58.9 $58.9

66.55%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$11.50 $11.50

3.13%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.99 $4.99

12.22%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.34 $2.34

31.20%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.90 $1.90

30.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.98 $5.98

19.40%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.10 $7.10

13.80%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.89 $0.89

17.98%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$2.72 $2.72

51.10%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.93 $4.93

13.79%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.57 $4.57

-1.31%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$11.38 $11.38

25.40%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$11.64 $11.64

27.92%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$13.67 $13.67

40.38%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$6.18 $6.18

-16.83%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.03 $2.03

-12.81%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$5.47 $5.47

-19.74%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$3.41 $3.41

33.72%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.70 $2.70

-5.93%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.34 $2.34

17.52%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.78 $1.78

35.96%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.68 $1.68

55.95%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$8.73 $8.73

70.90%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$9.82 $9.82

50.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.21 $2.21

11.31%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$2.78 $2.78

34.17%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.03 $2.03

22.17%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$2.96 $2.96

7.43%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.59 $1.59

-10.69%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$35.11 $35.11

-28.97%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.86 $0.86

23.26%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$17.7K $17.7K

79.93%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.8K $25.8K

0.95%

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

$185 $185

$129 $129

43.49%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$68.1 $68.1

-9.38%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$76.9 $76.9

-12.98%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$47.58 $47.58

57.99%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$14.08 $14.08

4.47%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,167 $1,167

73.20%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$10.0K $10.0K

293.50%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$42.41 $42.41

52.35%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$36.98 $36.98

41.83%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$73.3 $73.3

33.45%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$83.6 $83.6

76.43%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,764 $1,764

31.13%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,539 $1,539

3.32%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$3,013 $3,013

52.97%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,585 $2,585

7.50%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$3,292 $3,292

19.13%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,144 $2,144

21.85%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$2,647 $2,647

97.14%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.3

4.76%

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 Pierce, FL: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,764 in Fort Pierce, 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 97% 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $59.0 in Fort Pierce, FL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $366 – making Fort Pierce, 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 Pierce, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,702 in Fort Pierce, FL – roughly 14% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,053 in Fort Pierce, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Fort Pierce, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $59.0 in Fort Pierce, FL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 22% 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.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,702 in Fort Pierce, 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 $2,702 in Fort Pierce, FL to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Fort Pierce, 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.