🙂A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,253 in North Port, FL, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,495 in North Port, FL, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,736 in North Port, FL, rent included.
🙂Chicago, IL is about 5% cheaper than North Port, FL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Chicago, IL and North Port, FL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, North Port, FL by 137%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
North Port, FL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.86$19.86
$24.76$24.76
-19.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.3$88.3
$94.9$94.9
-6.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.23$13.23
$10.18$10.18
29.96%
Cappuccino
$5.86$5.86
$5.54$5.54
5.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61$2.61
$2.44$2.44
6.97%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32$2.32
$1.87$1.87
24.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.03$7.03
$5.02$5.02
40.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$9.25$9.25
$7.28$7.28
27.06%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
North Port, FL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.34$1.34
$0.95$0.95
41.05%
White Bread(500g)
$4.19$4.19
$2.71$2.71
54.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.50$5.50
$1.75$1.75
214.29%
Eggs
$4.71$4.71
$4.46$4.46
5.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.72$14.72
$10.88$10.88
35.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.53$14.53
$14.56$14.56
-0.21%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.69$19.69
$19.48$19.48
1.08%
Apples(1kg)
$5.64$5.64
$4.70$4.70
20.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.97$1.97
$0.70$0.70
181.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.04$4.04
$3.47$3.47
16.43%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.07$5.07
$5.16$5.16
-1.74%
Potato(1kg)
$2.94$2.94
$2.38$2.38
23.53%
Onion(1kg)
$2.92$2.92
$1.05$1.05
178.10%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.28$2.28
$2.04$2.04
11.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$3.12$3.12
$1.53$1.53
103.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$16.19$16.19
$9.19$9.19
76.17%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.17$15.17
$13.12$13.12
15.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.67$2.67
$1.71$1.71
56.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.48$3.48
$2.54$2.54
37.01%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
North Port, FL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.54$2.54
$2.05$2.05
23.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$76.0$76.0
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.16$3.16
$4.91$4.91
-35.64%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.37$1.37
$1.26$1.26
8.73%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$22.66$22.66
$30.18$30.18
-24.92%
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
$36.5K$36.5K
1.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.0K$26.0K
$24.8K$24.8K
5.19%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
North Port, FL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$190$190
$183$183
3.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$68.5$68.5
$72.1$72.1
-5.07%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.1$61.1
$73.8$73.8
-17.25%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
North Port, FL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$63.8$63.8
$59.3$59.3
7.52%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.80$27.80
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$18.28$18.28
$10.18$10.18
79.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
North Port, FL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,525$1,525
$787$787
93.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$32.0K$32.0K
$23.4K$23.4K
36.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
North Port, FL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.0$64.0
$54.7$54.7
16.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.4$54.4
$30.52$30.52
78.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101$101
$83.1$83.1
21.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$153$153
$112$112
36.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
North Port, FL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,421$2,421
$2,568$2,568
-5.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,690$1,690
$2,031$2,031
-16.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,584$4,584
$3,683$3,683
24.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,782$2,782
$2,758$2,758
0.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,170$4,170
$2,774$2,774
50.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,739$2,739
$2,687$2,687
1.94%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
North Port, FL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,777$4,777
$3,805$3,805
25.55%
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: August 29, 2026
Last update for North Port, FL: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $2,568 in North Port, 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 26% 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 $95.0 in North Port, FL. Groceries tell a different story – $465 in Chicago, IL vs $368 in North Port, FL – so North Port, 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 North Port, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Chicago, IL and in North Port, FL compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $3,253 in North Port, FL – roughly 5% apart. North Port, FL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Chicago, IL compared to North Port, FL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,880 in North Port, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Chicago, IL and North Port, FL?
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.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $95.0 in North Port, FL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Interestingly, groceries are about 26% cheaper in North Port, FL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,106 in Chicago, IL and $3,253 in North Port, FL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Chicago, IL and North Port, FL?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,106 in Chicago, IL to $3,253 in North Port, FL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Chicago, IL and North Port, FL?
If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, North Port, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chicago, IL vs other spots: cost of living compared