Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Port Orange, FL Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Port Orange, FL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,111 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,581 in Port Orange, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,680 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,789 in Port Orange, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,249 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,997 in Port Orange, FL, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 21% more than Port Orange, FL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Port Orange, FL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Port Orange, FL by 92%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$18.65 $18.65

9.33%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$76.4 $76.4

28.62%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

$11.16 $11.16

8.15%

Cappuccino

$5.73 $5.73

$5.07 $5.07

13.02%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.56 $2.56

16.02%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.05 $2.05

20.49%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.99 $6.99

$5.92 $5.92

18.07%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$7.12 $7.12

15.31%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.00 $1.00

5.00%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$3.54 $3.54

15.25%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$4.44 $4.44

23.87%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$4.17 $4.17

11.27%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$12.19 $12.19

18.13%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.20 $15.20

$11.48 $11.48

32.40%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$15.24 $15.24

26.51%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.77 $4.77

7.76%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.63 $1.63

7.98%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$4.28 $4.28

1.40%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$4.73 $4.73

-7.82%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$2.83 $2.83

-13.78%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$2.89 $2.89

-3.46%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.12 $2.12

18.87%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.10 $2.10

26.67%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.90 $14.90

$9.61 $9.61

55.05%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$14.24 $14.24

5.13%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.82 $1.82

34.62%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$3.38 $3.38

4.73%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.95 $1.95

24.62%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$3.45 $3.45

-3.77%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.66 $1.66

-16.87%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.11 $25.11

$29.24 $29.24

-14.12%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.89 $0.89

22.47%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$29.7K $29.7K

7.26%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$25.1K $25.1K

6.80%

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

$187 $187

$190 $190

-1.37%

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

$63.5 $63.5

$52.5 $52.5

20.90%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$67.9 $67.9

-3.49%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.7 $75.7

$42.85 $42.85

76.64%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$13.62 $13.62

8.66%

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

$2,025 $2,025

$1,277 $1,277

58.53%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.0K $39.0K

$23.2K $23.2K

68.22%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$51.7 $51.7

24.08%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$40.61 $40.61

27.38%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$85.3 $85.3

12.07%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$110 $110

31.31%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,326 $2,326

$1,582 $1,582

47.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$1,372 $1,372

17.38%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,703 $4,703

$2,630 $2,630

78.82%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,721 $2,721

$2,258 $2,258

20.52%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

$2,806 $2,806

36.47%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

$2,448 $2,448

3.44%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,100 $5,100

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 7, 2026

Last update for Port Orange, FL: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,326 in Chicago, IL versus $1,582 in Port Orange, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $76.0 in Port Orange, FL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $386 – making Port Orange, 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 Port Orange, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,111 in Chicago, IL, $2,581 in Port Orange, FL – roughly 21% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,666 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,871 in Port Orange, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Port Orange, 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 $76.0 in Port Orange, FL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 16% 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 $3,111 in Chicago, IL and $2,581 in Port Orange, 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 $2,581 in Port Orange, FL to $3,111 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Port Orange, 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.