Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Lake Worth, FL Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Lake Worth, FL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,627 in Lake Worth, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,576 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,835 in Lake Worth, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,143 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,044 in Lake Worth, FL, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 15% more than Lake Worth, FL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Lake Worth, FL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Lake Worth, FL by 97%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.27 $20.27

$24.72 $24.72

-18.00%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$75.2 $75.2

34.04%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.04 $12.04

$9.48 $9.48

27.00%

Cappuccino

$5.76 $5.76

$5.25 $5.25

9.71%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.91 $2.91

2.06%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 $2.38

$1.93 $1.93

23.32%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.20 $7.20

$5.88 $5.88

22.45%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.05 $8.05

$7.96 $7.96

1.13%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.06 $1.06

2.83%

White Bread (500g)

$4.12 $4.12

$2.92 $2.92

41.10%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$2.83 $2.83

86.93%

Eggs

$4.56 $4.56

$4.54 $4.54

0.44%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.45 $14.45

$12.66 $12.66

14.14%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.79 $14.79

$8.36 $8.36

76.91%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.56 $19.56

$14.50 $14.50

34.90%

Apples (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$4.76 $4.76

13.87%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.72 $1.72

-0.58%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.18 $4.18

$3.62 $3.62

15.47%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$5.22 $5.22

-12.07%

Potato (1kg)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.62 $2.62

-5.34%

Onion (1kg)

$2.72 $2.72

$3.44 $3.44

-20.93%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.26 $2.26

9.29%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.72 $2.72

$2.49 $2.49

9.24%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.78 $14.78

$8.66 $8.66

70.67%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.30 $15.30

$13.04 $13.04

17.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$1.76 $1.76

33.52%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$3.05 $3.05

22.62%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.94 $1.94

27.32%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.0 $74.0

$68.8 $68.8

7.62%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$2.45 $2.45

35.51%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.93 $1.93

-29.02%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.65 $24.65

$29.71 $29.71

-17.03%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.88 $0.88

19.32%

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

$32.4K $32.4K

$34.3K $34.3K

-5.73%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$27.5K $27.5K

-5.19%

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

$186 $186

$181 $181

2.89%

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

$62.6 $62.6

$46.04 $46.04

35.97%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.5 $67.5

$59.7 $59.7

13.01%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.41 $43.41

73.26%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.38 $13.38

Cinema Ticket

$15.10 $15.10

$12.81 $12.81

17.88%

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

$2,023 $2,023

$910 $910

122.24%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$23.1K $23.1K

72.49%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$53.5 $53.5

20.07%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$34.45 $34.45

48.56%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.2 $96.2

$93.0 $93.0

3.36%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$109 $109

35.49%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,329 $2,329

$1,570 $1,570

48.30%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,570 $1,570

$1,353 $1,353

16.00%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,677 $4,677

$2,596 $2,596

80.15%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,810 $2,810

$2,233 $2,233

25.82%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,082 $4,082

$2,678 $2,678

52.43%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,645 $2,645

$2,261 $2,261

16.97%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,883 $4,883

$7,688 $7,688

-36.48%

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 27, 2026

Last update for Lake Worth, FL: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,329 in Chicago, IL versus $1,570 in Lake Worth, 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 57% higher in Lake Worth, FL, 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 $101 in Chicago, IL versus $75.0 in Lake Worth, FL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $450 vs $362 – making Lake Worth, 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 Lake Worth, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $2,627 in Lake Worth, FL – roughly 15% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,940 in Lake Worth, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 24% 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 $101 in Chicago, IL and $75.0 in Lake Worth, FL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $2,627 in Lake Worth, 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 $2,627 in Lake Worth, FL to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Lake Worth, 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.