Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and New Smyrna Beach, FL Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and New Smyrna Beach, FL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,690 in New Smyrna Beach, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,945 in New Smyrna Beach, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,201 in New Smyrna Beach, FL, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 14% more than New Smyrna Beach, FL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and New Smyrna Beach, FL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, New Smyrna Beach, FL by 101%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$20.25 $20.25

3.26%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$74.1 $74.1

32.45%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$9.93 $9.93

19.44%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.83 $5.83

-3.95%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.14 $2.14

43.46%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.31 $1.31

88.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$4.46 $4.46

60.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$6.02 $6.02

34.22%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.00 $1.00

5.00%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.54 $3.54

16.10%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$2.58 $2.58

117.44%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.53 $4.53

-0.44%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$11.85 $11.85

20.42%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$9.32 $9.32

59.76%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$23.17 $23.17

-17.18%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$5.70 $5.70

-9.82%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.59 $1.59

11.32%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.45 $4.45

-1.35%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$5.22 $5.22

-12.64%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.49 $2.49

2.01%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.53 $2.53

8.70%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.48 $1.48

63.51%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.68 $1.68

55.95%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$7.34 $7.34

103.27%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$13.51 $13.51

9.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.11 $2.11

16.59%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$2.97 $2.97

25.59%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.99 $1.99

24.62%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$4.78 $4.78

-33.47%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.52 $1.52

-6.58%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$21.62 $21.62

15.36%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.82 $0.82

29.27%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$27.0K $27.0K

18.32%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.6K $24.6K

5.68%

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

$185 $185

$160 $160

15.27%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$44.69 $44.69

38.15%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$72.7 $72.7

-7.93%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$25.44 $25.44

195.48%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$13.65 $13.65

7.77%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$426 $426

373.89%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$7,072 $7,072

457.19%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$47.55 $47.55

35.88%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$51.4 $51.4

2.02%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$81.1 $81.1

20.59%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$102 $102

44.69%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,574 $1,574

46.96%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,573 $1,573

1.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,466 $2,466

86.90%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,428 $2,428

14.44%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,678 $2,678

46.44%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,325 $2,325

12.38%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$7,363 $7,363

-29.14%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.75

-2.22%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for New Smyrna Beach, FL: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,574 in New Smyrna 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 41% higher in New Smyrna Beach, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $74.0 in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $390 – making New Smyrna 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 New Smyrna Beach, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,690 in New Smyrna Beach, FL – roughly 14% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,035 in New Smyrna Beach, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in New Smyrna Beach, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $74.0 in New Smyrna Beach, FL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 15% 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.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,690 in New Smyrna 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 $2,690 in New Smyrna Beach, FL to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with New Smyrna 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.