😐A single person spends $3,378 per month in Hollywood, FL vs $3,077 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $5,120 per month in Hollywood, FL vs $4,628 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $6,862 per month in Hollywood, FL vs $6,179 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
😐Hollywood, FL costs about 10% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Hollywood, FL and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Hollywood, FL by 152%, Chicago, IL by 130%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hollywood, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$29.97$29.97
$20.91$20.91
43.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.4$88.4
$98.1$98.1
-9.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.19$10.19
$11.86$11.86
-14.08%
Cappuccino
$5.42$5.42
$5.60$5.60
-3.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.05$3.05
$3.07$3.07
-0.65%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37$2.37
$2.47$2.47
-4.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.09$6.09
$7.14$7.14
-14.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.97$8.97
$8.08$8.08
11.01%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hollywood, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22$1.22
$1.05$1.05
16.19%
White Bread(500g)
$3.99$3.99
$4.11$4.11
-2.92%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.52$5.52
$5.61$5.61
-1.60%
Eggs
$5.43$5.43
$4.51$4.51
20.40%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.00$19.00
$14.27$14.27
33.15%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.02$14.02
$14.89$14.89
-5.84%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.63$17.63
$19.19$19.19
-8.13%
Apples(1kg)
$4.80$4.80
$5.14$5.14
-6.61%
Banana(1kg)
$1.63$1.63
$1.77$1.77
-7.91%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.01$4.01
$4.39$4.39
-8.66%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.17$5.17
$4.56$4.56
13.38%
Potato(1kg)
$2.52$2.52
$2.54$2.54
-0.79%
Onion(1kg)
$3.31$3.31
$2.75$2.75
20.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.72$2.72
$2.42$2.42
12.40%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.05$2.05
$2.62$2.62
-21.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.80$9.80
$14.92$14.92
-34.32%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.95$14.95
$14.80$14.80
1.01%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.12$2.12
$2.46$2.46
-13.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84$2.84
$3.73$3.73
-23.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Hollywood, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.98$1.98
$2.48$2.48
-20.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$71.0$71.0
$75.4$75.4
-5.85%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.55$2.55
$3.18$3.18
-19.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.28$1.28
$1.42$1.42
-9.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$44.37$44.37
$24.94$24.94
77.91%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.90$0.90
$1.06$1.06
-15.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3K$30.3K
$31.9K$31.9K
-5.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K$26.2K
$26.0K$26.0K
0.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hollywood, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$205$205
$185$185
11.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.8$56.8
$61.7$61.7
-8.02%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.8$62.8
$66.9$66.9
-6.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hollywood, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$37.13$37.13
$75.2$75.2
-50.61%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.08$13.08
-
Cinema Ticket
$16.18$16.18
$14.71$14.71
9.99%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hollywood, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$813$813
$2,020$2,020
-59.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,524$9,524
$39.4K$39.4K
-75.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hollywood, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.4$50.4
$64.6$64.6
-22.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.1$50.1
$52.5$52.5
-4.42%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.7$93.7
$97.8$97.8
-4.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113$113
$148$148
-23.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hollywood, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,551$2,551
$2,313$2,313
10.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,942$1,942
$1,590$1,590
22.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,659$4,659
$4,608$4,608
1.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$3,622$3,622
$2,779$2,779
30.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$9,171$9,171
$3,922$3,922
133.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,726$4,726
$2,613$2,613
80.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hollywood, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,503$3,503
$5,217$5,217
-32.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.55
6.6
-0.76%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hollywood, FL: May 31, 2026
Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $2,551 in Hollywood, FL versus $2,313 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 49% 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 $88.0 in Hollywood, FL versus $98.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $447 – making Hollywood, 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
Hollywood, FL vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Hollywood, FL and Chicago, IL compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,378 in Hollywood, FL, $3,077 in Chicago, IL – roughly 10% apart. Hollywood, FL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Hollywood, FL compared to Chicago, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,067 per month in Hollywood, FL and $4,616 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Hollywood, FL and Chicago, IL?
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.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 0% more in Hollywood, FL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Hollywood, FL and $98.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,378 in Hollywood, FL and $3,077 in Chicago, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Hollywood, FL and Chicago, IL?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,077 in Chicago, IL to $3,378 in Hollywood, FL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Hollywood, FL and Chicago, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hollywood, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Hollywood, FL vs other spots: cost of living compared