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 $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,579 in Lake Worth, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,737 in Lake Worth, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,895 in Lake Worth, FL, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 21% 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 128%, Lake Worth, FL by 89%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$25.53 $25.53

-21.97%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$76.1 $76.1

16.22%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$9.86 $9.86

31.24%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.95 $4.95

11.92%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.47 $2.47

10.93%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.80 $1.80

31.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$5.29 $5.29

34.59%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$7.72 $7.72

13.08%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.83 $0.83

61.45%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.11 $3.11

34.08%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$3.10 $3.10

84.84%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$4.59 $4.59

6.54%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$13.34 $13.34

10.72%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$11.08 $11.08

34.03%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$14.83 $14.83

32.23%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$4.62 $4.62

20.56%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.51 $1.51

27.15%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.08 $3.08

35.39%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$5.47 $5.47

-11.15%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.92 $2.92

-2.74%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$3.45 $3.45

-18.84%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.26 $2.26

-2.65%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.56 $2.56

19.53%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$8.94 $8.94

80.76%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$12.78 $12.78

15.96%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.75 $1.75

44.57%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.26 $3.26

2.76%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.73 $1.73

47.40%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.98 $2.98

10.74%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.84 $1.84

-26.09%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$28.89 $28.89

-13.05%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.01 $1.01

15.84%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$37.5K $37.5K

-3.95%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.7K $25.7K

2.09%

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

$191 $191

$170 $170

12.69%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$61.6 $61.6

10.22%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$75.5 $75.5

-18.30%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$42.13 $42.13

50.65%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$10.06 $10.06

79.13%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$902 $902

68.71%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$20.4K $20.4K

53.74%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$67.5 $67.5

-5.70%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$41.25 $41.25

33.94%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$115 $115

-13.04%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$101 $101

52.11%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,735 $1,735

38.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,365 $1,365

21.12%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,745 $2,745

66.74%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$2,387 $2,387

16.12%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$3,152 $3,152

27.91%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$2,738 $2,738

0.27%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$7,603 $7,603

-36.81%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.06

5.28%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Lake Worth, FL: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,735 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 58% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $76.0 in Lake Worth, FL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $378 – 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: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,579 in Lake Worth, FL – roughly 21% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,868 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $76.0 in Lake Worth, FL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 23% 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 $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,579 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 $2,579 in Lake Worth, FL to $3,117 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.