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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,569 in Pensacola, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,635 in Pensacola, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,701 in Pensacola, FL, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 20% more than Pensacola, FL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Pensacola, FL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Pensacola, FL by 92%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$19.01 $19.01

9.99%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$54.6 $54.6

79.59%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$11.91 $11.91

-0.42%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.76 $4.76

17.65%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.85 $2.85

7.72%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.14 $2.14

15.42%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.08 $5.08

40.55%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$6.57 $6.57

22.98%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.92 $0.92

14.13%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.34 $3.34

23.05%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$2.51 $2.51

123.51%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$3.28 $3.28

37.50%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$10.68 $10.68

33.61%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$11.43 $11.43

30.27%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$14.75 $14.75

30.10%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$3.60 $3.60

42.78%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.56 $1.56

13.46%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$2.83 $2.83

55.12%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.25 $4.25

7.29%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.05 $3.05

-16.72%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.70 $2.70

1.85%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.09 $2.09

15.79%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.22 $2.22

18.02%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$8.25 $8.25

80.85%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$13.06 $13.06

13.32%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.86 $1.86

32.26%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.03 $3.03

23.10%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.79 $1.79

38.55%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$42.73 $42.73

76.53%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$2.52 $2.52

26.19%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.61 $1.61

-11.80%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$26.07 $26.07

-4.33%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.85 $0.85

24.71%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$35.9K $35.9K

-11.04%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

0.21%

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

$185 $185

$263 $263

-29.59%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$48.69 $48.69

26.80%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$67.0 $67.0

-0.18%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$26.22 $26.22

186.69%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

$18.34 $18.34

-28.68%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$12.79 $12.79

15.01%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$520 $520

288.36%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$8,101 $8,101

386.45%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$39.70 $39.70

62.75%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$43.54 $43.54

20.46%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$76.8 $76.8

27.45%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$75.9 $75.9

94.53%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,660 $1,660

39.31%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,354 $1,354

17.46%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,636 $2,636

74.84%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,048 $2,048

35.68%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$3,846 $3,846

1.96%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,127 $2,127

22.83%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$3,835 $3,835

36.06%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.43

2.64%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Pensacola, FL: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,660 in Pensacola, 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 36% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $55.0 in Pensacola, FL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $350 – making Pensacola, 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 Pensacola, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,569 in Pensacola, FL – roughly 20% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,853 in Pensacola, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Pensacola, FL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 28% 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 mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $55.0 in Pensacola, FL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,569 in Pensacola, 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 $2,569 in Pensacola, FL to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Pensacola, 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.