Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Pembroke Pines, FL Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Pembroke Pines, FL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,298 in Pembroke Pines, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,601 in Pembroke Pines, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,904 in Pembroke Pines, FL, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 7% cheaper than Pembroke Pines, FL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Pembroke Pines, FL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Pembroke Pines, FL by 146%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$21.37 $21.37

-3.28%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$89.0 $89.0

12.85%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$9.93 $9.93

19.44%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.95 $4.95

11.92%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.69 $2.69

13.75%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.95 $1.95

27.18%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$5.86 $5.86

18.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$6.36 $6.36

27.83%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.05 $1.05

-0.95%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$2.94 $2.94

32.99%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$3.48 $3.48

55.75%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$4.03 $4.03

11.17%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$11.69 $11.69

24.21%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$13.84 $13.84

9.90%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$18.05 $18.05

6.65%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.55 $4.55

18.46%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.73 $1.73

-2.31%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$4.29 $4.29

0.70%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$5.55 $5.55

-18.74%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$3.57 $3.57

-28.29%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.42 $3.42

-21.05%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.28 $2.28

5.70%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.03 $2.03

29.06%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$8.46 $8.46

77.54%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$13.05 $13.05

12.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.75 $1.75

41.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$2.80 $2.80

31.79%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.06 $2.06

23.79%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

$45.51 $45.51

65.88%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.44 $2.44

34.84%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.58 $1.58

-9.49%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$22.15 $22.15

11.60%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.89 $0.89

22.47%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$25.8K $25.8K

22.99%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$24.5K $24.5K

7.87%

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

$183 $183

$170 $170

7.68%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$45.89 $45.89

34.74%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$69.1 $69.1

-5.92%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$42.85 $42.85

77.55%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$15.07 $15.07

-2.12%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$812 $812

153.29%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$15.9K $15.9K

141.44%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$46.57 $46.57

37.28%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$44.55 $44.55

15.80%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$91.3 $91.3

6.59%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$117 $117

26.30%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$2,247 $2,247

4.56%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$2,020 $2,020

-21.74%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$3,100 $3,100

51.90%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,965 $2,965

-8.42%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$2,403 $2,403

65.50%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$3,546 $3,546

-25.78%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$4,387 $4,387

7.68%

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: April 20, 2026

Last update for Pembroke Pines, FL: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $2,247 in Pembroke Pines, 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 8% 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $89 in Pembroke Pines, FL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $398 – making Pembroke Pines, 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 Pembroke Pines, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Pembroke Pines, FL costs about 8% more than Chicago, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,946 in Pembroke Pines, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Interestingly, groceries are about 12% cheaper in Pembroke Pines, FL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $100 in Chicago, IL and $89.0 in Pembroke Pines, FL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $3,298 in Pembroke Pines, 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 $3,051 in Chicago, IL to $3,298 in Pembroke Pines, FL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Pembroke Pines, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.