Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fort Walton Beach, FL Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fort Walton Beach, FL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,126 in Fort Walton Beach, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,452 in Fort Walton Beach, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,778 in Fort Walton Beach, FL, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 45% more than Fort Walton Beach, FL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Fort Walton Beach, FL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Fort Walton Beach, FL by 59%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$15.02 $15.02

39.21%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$86.2 $86.2

13.87%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$10.47 $10.47

13.28%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.49 $5.49

2.00%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.77 $2.77

10.83%

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

$4.92 $4.92

45.12%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$6.61 $6.61

22.24%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.02 $1.02

2.94%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$2.90 $2.90

41.72%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$2.26 $2.26

148.23%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$2.60 $2.60

73.46%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$12.36 $12.36

15.45%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$11.59 $11.59

28.47%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$15.25 $15.25

25.84%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$3.60 $3.60

42.78%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.45 $3.45

27.25%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$3.46 $3.46

31.79%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.39 $1.39

82.73%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.00 $2.00

37.50%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.68 $1.68

44.05%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.05 $2.05

27.80%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$7.77 $7.77

92.02%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$8.49 $8.49

74.32%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.09 $2.09

17.70%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$4.31 $4.31

-13.46%

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

$50.3 $50.3

49.87%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$6.17 $6.17

-48.46%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.64 $1.64

-13.41%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$45.13 $45.13

-44.74%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.90 $0.90

17.78%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$26.7K $26.7K

19.45%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.4K $25.4K

2.68%

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

$185 $185

$152 $152

21.82%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$43.51 $43.51

41.90%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$67.5 $67.5

-0.89%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$48.05 $48.05

56.44%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$13.35 $13.35

10.19%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$831 $831

143.17%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$23.0K $23.0K

71.21%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$30.54 $30.54

111.56%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$19.99 $19.99

162.38%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$96.9 $96.9

0.98%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$105 $105

41.06%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,635 $1,635

41.47%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,046 $1,046

52.06%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,718 $2,718

69.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,226 $2,226

24.80%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$4,801 $4,801

-18.32%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,327 $2,327

12.28%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$3,310 $3,310

57.61%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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 Walton Beach, FL: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,635 in Fort Walton Beach, 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 58% 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 $86.0 in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $335 – making Fort Walton Beach, 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 Walton Beach, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,126 in Fort Walton Beach, FL – roughly 45% 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 $3,189 in Fort Walton Beach, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 34% 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $86.0 in Fort Walton Beach, 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 $2,126 in Fort Walton Beach, 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 $2,126 in Fort Walton Beach, FL to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Fort Walton Beach, 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.