Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Tarpon Springs, FL Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Tarpon Springs, FL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,535 in Tarpon Springs, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,787 in Tarpon Springs, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,039 in Tarpon Springs, FL, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 21% more than Tarpon Springs, FL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Tarpon Springs, FL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Tarpon Springs, FL by 89%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$19.74 $19.74

5.93%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$40.65 $40.65

141.40%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$9.26 $9.26

28.08%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$3.18 $3.18

76.10%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.02 $2.02

51.98%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.27 $1.27

94.49%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$3.95 $3.95

80.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$4.90 $4.90

64.90%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.83 $0.83

26.51%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$2.16 $2.16

90.28%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.61 $4.61

21.69%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$3.72 $3.72

21.24%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$11.70 $11.70

21.97%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$9.73 $9.73

53.03%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$22.70 $22.70

-15.46%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$5.58 $5.58

-7.89%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$0.98 $0.98

80.61%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$2.25 $2.25

95.11%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$2.19 $2.19

108.22%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.26 $2.26

12.39%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.61 $2.61

5.36%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.97 $1.97

22.84%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.92 $1.92

36.46%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$6.91 $6.91

115.92%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$12.77 $12.77

15.90%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.99 $1.99

23.62%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.88 $3.88

-3.87%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.04 $2.04

21.57%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$4.83 $4.83

-34.16%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$0.75 $0.75

89.33%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$21.65 $21.65

15.20%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.84 $0.84

26.19%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$43.7K $43.7K

-27.00%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$22.7K $22.7K

14.79%

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

$185 $185

$163 $163

13.69%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$44.65 $44.65

38.28%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$74.0 $74.0

-9.53%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.37 $42.37

77.41%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$13.88 $13.88

5.98%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$421 $421

380.37%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$7,340 $7,340

436.89%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$64.0 $64.0

0.91%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$70.7 $70.7

-25.82%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$112 $112

-12.94%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$166 $166

-11.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,204 $1,204

92.09%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,344 $1,344

18.33%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,530 $2,530

82.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,524 $2,524

10.10%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$4,130 $4,130

26.33%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.78

-2.65%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Tarpon Springs, FL: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,204 in Tarpon Springs, 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 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 $41.00 in Tarpon Springs, FL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $355 – making Tarpon Springs, 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 Tarpon Springs, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,535 in Tarpon Springs, FL – roughly 21% 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 $3,803 in Tarpon Springs, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Tarpon Springs, 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 $41.00 in Tarpon Springs, FL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 26% 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 $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Tarpon Springs, FL, where all-in costs run around $2,535, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In Tarpon Springs, FL it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,535 in Tarpon Springs, FL to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Tarpon Springs, 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.