Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Hollywood, FL Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Hollywood, FL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,255 in Hollywood, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,167 in Hollywood, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $7,079 in Hollywood, FL, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 5% cheaper than Hollywood, FL, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Hollywood, FL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Hollywood, FL by 137%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.86 $19.86

$30.30 $30.30

-34.46%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$122 $122

-27.67%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.23 $13.23

$11.85 $11.85

11.65%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$5.49 $5.49

6.74%

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

$2.61 $2.61

$3.31 $3.31

-21.15%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$2.86 $2.86

-18.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 $7.03

$7.46 $7.46

-5.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.25 $9.25

$8.77 $8.77

5.47%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.22 $1.22

9.84%

White Bread (500g)

$4.19 $4.19

$3.80 $3.80

10.26%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$5.62 $5.62

-2.14%

Eggs

$4.71 $4.71

$5.34 $5.34

-11.80%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$15.22 $15.22

-3.29%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$15.14 $15.14

-4.03%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$17.42 $17.42

13.03%

Apples (1kg)

$5.64 $5.64

$5.29 $5.29

6.62%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.99 $1.99

-1.01%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$4.63 $4.63

-12.74%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$4.36 $4.36

16.28%

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$3.11 $3.11

-5.47%

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$3.47 $3.47

-15.85%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.91 $2.91

-21.65%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.46 $2.46

26.83%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.19 $16.19

$8.85 $8.85

82.94%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$14.78 $14.78

2.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.09 $2.09

27.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$3.17 $3.17

9.78%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.47 $1.47

72.79%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

$68.8 $68.8

10.37%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 $3.16

$2.96 $2.96

6.76%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$2.08 $2.08

-34.13%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.66 $22.66

$23.79 $23.79

-4.75%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$0.93 $0.93

29.03%

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

$37.0K $37.0K

$36.6K $36.6K

1.25%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.9K $25.9K

0.38%

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

$190 $190

$145 $145

30.85%

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

$68.5 $68.5

$64.5 $64.5

6.15%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$69.8 $69.8

-12.55%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

$40.25 $40.25

58.46%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$18.28 $18.28

$16.52 $16.52

10.65%

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

$1,525 $1,525

$1,515 $1,515

0.64%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.0K $32.0K

$9,643 $9,643

231.84%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$61.8 $61.8

3.63%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.4 $54.4

$49.25 $49.25

10.46%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$98.2 $98.2

2.41%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$118 $118

30.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,421 $2,421

$2,276 $2,276

6.37%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,690 $1,690

$1,828 $1,828

-7.55%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,584 $4,584

$4,108 $4,108

11.59%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,782 $2,782

$3,585 $3,585

-22.39%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

$9,176 $9,176

-54.56%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

$4,730 $4,730

-42.10%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,777 $4,777

$3,578 $3,578

33.52%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.22

2.57%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Last update for Hollywood, FL: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $2,276 in Hollywood, 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $122 in Hollywood, FL. Groceries tell a different story – $465 in Chicago, IL vs $450 in Hollywood, FL – so Hollywood, 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 Hollywood, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $3,255 in Hollywood, FL – roughly 5% apart. Hollywood, FL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,882 in Hollywood, 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 3% cheaper in Hollywood, 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $122 in Hollywood, 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 $3,106 in Chicago, IL and $3,255 in Hollywood, 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 $3,106 in Chicago, IL to $3,255 in Hollywood, 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, Hollywood, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.