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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,465 in Milton, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,576 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,575 in Milton, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,143 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,685 in Milton, FL, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 22% more than Milton, FL, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Milton, FL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Milton, FL by 85%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.27 $20.27

$9.90 $9.90

104.75%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$99.8 $99.8

0.93%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.04 $12.04

$9.86 $9.86

22.11%

Cappuccino

$5.76 $5.76

$4.45 $4.45

29.44%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.81 $2.81

5.69%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 $2.38

$2.04 $2.04

16.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.20 $7.20

$5.64 $5.64

27.66%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.05 $8.05

$7.70 $7.70

4.55%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.26 $1.26

-13.49%

White Bread (500g)

$4.12 $4.12

$3.92 $3.92

5.10%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$5.75 $5.75

-8.00%

Eggs

$4.56 $4.56

$4.37 $4.37

4.35%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.45 $14.45

$11.18 $11.18

29.25%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.79 $14.79

$10.98 $10.98

34.70%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.56 $19.56

$14.91 $14.91

31.19%

Apples (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$5.05 $5.05

7.33%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.76 $1.76

-2.84%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.18 $4.18

$4.78 $4.78

-12.55%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$5.27 $5.27

-12.90%

Potato (1kg)

$2.48 $2.48

$3.89 $3.89

-36.25%

Onion (1kg)

$2.72 $2.72

$3.17 $3.17

-14.20%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.26 $2.26

9.29%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.72 $2.72

$2.90 $2.90

-6.21%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.78 $14.78

$7.06 $7.06

109.35%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.30 $15.30

$14.89 $14.89

2.75%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.01 $2.01

16.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$3.58 $3.58

4.47%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.03 $2.03

21.67%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.0 $74.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$3.46 $3.46

-4.05%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.51 $1.51

-9.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.65 $24.65

$35.05 $35.05

-29.67%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.78 $0.78

34.62%

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

$32.4K $32.4K

$35.4K $35.4K

-8.53%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$28.8K $28.8K

-9.25%

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

$186 $186

$233 $233

-19.92%

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

$62.6 $62.6

$58.4 $58.4

7.27%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.5 $67.5

$70.2 $70.2

-3.86%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.37 $43.37

73.41%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.38 $13.38

Cinema Ticket

$15.10 $15.10

$9.92 $9.92

52.22%

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

$2,023 $2,023

$1,563 $1,563

29.45%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$10.3K $10.3K

287.83%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$44.81 $44.81

43.36%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$29.61 $29.61

72.85%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.2 $96.2

$76.3 $76.3

26.07%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$112 $112

30.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,329 $2,329

$1,381 $1,381

68.66%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,570 $1,570

$1,248 $1,248

25.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,677 $4,677

$2,509 $2,509

86.41%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,810 $2,810

$1,914 $1,914

46.80%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,082 $4,082

$2,771 $2,771

47.28%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,645 $2,645

$2,549 $2,549

3.74%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,883 $4,883

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.57

0.46%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 27, 2026

Last update for Milton, FL: July 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,329 in Chicago, IL versus $1,381 in Milton, FL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Chicago, IL versus $100 in Milton, FL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $450 vs $416 – making Milton, 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 Milton, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $2,465 in Milton, FL – roughly 22% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,698 in Milton, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Milton, 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 $101 in Chicago, IL and $100 in Milton, FL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 8% 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 $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Milton, FL, where all-in costs run around $2,465, than in Chicago, IL at $3,009. In Milton, FL it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,465 in Milton, FL to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Milton, 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.