Cost of Living Comparison Between Delray Beach, FL and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Delray Beach, FL and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,568 per month in Delray Beach, FL vs $3,184 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,783 per month in Delray Beach, FL vs $4,725 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,998 per month in Delray Beach, FL vs $6,266 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Delray Beach, FL costs about 12% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Delray Beach, FL and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Delray Beach, FL by 159%, Chicago, IL by 131%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.35 $30.35

$20.26 $20.26

49.80%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$122 $122

$88.8 $88.8

37.84%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.71 $14.71

$13.16 $13.16

11.78%

Cappuccino

$5.66 $5.66

$5.77 $5.77

-1.91%

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

$3.02 $3.02

$2.63 $2.63

14.83%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 $2.06

$2.34 $2.34

-11.97%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.86 $7.86

$7.06 $7.06

11.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.13 $10.13

$9.18 $9.18

10.35%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.35 $1.35

$1.30 $1.30

3.85%

White Bread (500g)

$4.28 $4.28

$4.05 $4.05

5.68%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.22 $3.22

$5.69 $5.69

-43.41%

Eggs

$5.44 $5.44

$4.85 $4.85

12.16%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.33 $13.33

$15.08 $15.08

-11.60%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.24 $12.24

$14.87 $14.87

-17.69%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.02 $19.02

$19.28 $19.28

-1.35%

Apples (1kg)

$5.11 $5.11

$5.68 $5.68

-10.04%

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 $1.75

$1.93 $1.93

-9.33%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.96 $2.96

$4.10 $4.10

-27.80%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.46 $4.46

$5.11 $5.11

-12.72%

Potato (1kg)

$3.08 $3.08

$2.92 $2.92

5.48%

Onion (1kg)

$3.62 $3.62

$2.77 $2.77

30.69%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.73 $2.73

$2.30 $2.30

18.70%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.13 $2.13

$3.04 $3.04

-29.93%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.06 $9.06

$15.93 $15.93

-43.13%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.19 $15.19

$15.06 $15.06

0.86%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.03 $2.03

$2.53 $2.53

-19.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.91 $2.91

$3.48 $3.48

-16.38%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.97 $1.97

$2.53 $2.53

-22.13%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.8 $74.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.89 $2.89

$3.28 $3.28

-11.89%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.36 $1.36

49.26%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.13 $24.13

$22.55 $22.55

7.01%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$1.22 $1.22

-21.31%

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

$36.3K $36.3K

$36.1K $36.1K

0.46%

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

$26.3K $26.3K

$26.0K $26.0K

1.30%

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

$177 $177

$188 $188

-6.27%

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

$63.4 $63.4

$69.0 $69.0

-8.09%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.8 $70.8

$63.6 $63.6

11.35%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$51.6 $51.6

$63.4 $63.4

-18.62%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.32 $19.32

$27.11 $27.11

-28.73%

Cinema Ticket

$19.81 $19.81

$17.90 $17.90

10.67%

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

$1,508 $1,508

$1,526 $1,526

-1.17%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$35.5K $35.5K

$31.9K $31.9K

11.31%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.4 $50.4

$62.1 $62.1

-18.85%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$59.1 $59.1

$56.4 $56.4

4.77%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$108 $108

$101 $101

7.23%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$126 $126

$156 $156

-19.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,135 $2,135

$2,342 $2,342

-8.85%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,135 $2,135

$1,698 $1,698

25.73%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$5,401 $5,401

$4,576 $4,576

18.04%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,482 $4,482

$2,806 $2,806

59.72%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,105 $4,105

$4,130 $4,130

-0.62%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,286 $3,286

$2,740 $2,740

19.96%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,043 $4,043

$4,891 $4,891

-17.34%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.22

6.38

-2.51%

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

Last update for Delray Beach, FL: September 6, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,135 in Delray Beach, FL versus $2,342 in Chicago, IL. 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 21% 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 $122 in Delray Beach, FL versus $89.0 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $419 in Delray Beach, FL vs $465 in Chicago, IL – so Delray Beach, 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

Delray Beach, FL vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,568 in Delray Beach, FL, $3,184 in Chicago, IL – roughly 12% apart. Delray Beach, FL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,352 per month in Delray Beach, FL and $4,776 in Chicago, IL. 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $122 in Delray Beach, FL and $89.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 11% cheaper in Delray Beach, FL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,568 in Delray Beach, FL and $3,184 in Chicago, IL. 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 $3,184 in Chicago, IL to $3,568 in Delray Beach, 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, Delray Beach, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.