Last update: Oct 2026

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

For one person, living is cheaper in Chicago, IL: $3,037 a month against $3,460 in Homestead, FL, rent and utilities included – about $5,100 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Homestead, FL outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

165

Cost of Living Index in Homestead, FL
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Homestead, FL Living Index
147

Cost of Living Index in Chicago, IL
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Chicago, IL Living Index

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Homestead, FL

🇺🇸 United States

$3,460

/mo nomad

Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 United States

$3,037

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Homestead, FL and in Chicago, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Homestead, FL and in Chicago, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,460 per month in Homestead, FL vs $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Homestead, FL $3,460
Chicago, IL $3,037

A couple spends around $4,870 per month in Homestead, FL vs $4,518 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Homestead, FL $4,870
Chicago, IL $4,518

A family of three spends $6,281 per month in Homestead, FL vs $5,999 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Homestead, FL $6,281
Chicago, IL $5,999

Homestead, FL costs about 14% more than Chicago, IL.

Both Homestead, FL and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Homestead, FL by 154%, Chicago, IL by 123%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.28 $20.28

$20.71 $20.71

-2.08%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$74.1 $74.1

$89.2 $89.2

-16.98%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.98 $9.98

$13.19 $13.19

-24.34%

Cappuccino

$4.97 $4.97

$5.66 $5.66

-12.19%

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

$2.02 $2.02

$2.64 $2.64

-23.48%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 $1.98

$2.28 $2.28

-13.16%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.30 $5.30

$6.87 $6.87

-22.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.39 $7.39

$8.84 $8.84

-16.40%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.82 $0.82

$1.25 $1.25

-34.40%

White Bread (500g)

$2.66 $2.66

$3.72 $3.72

-28.49%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.10 $3.10

$5.39 $5.39

-42.49%

Eggs

$3.83 $3.83

$4.74 $4.74

-19.20%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.32 $13.32

$13.84 $13.84

-3.76%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.57 $6.57

$14.40 $14.40

-54.37%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.74 $14.74

$18.38 $18.38

-19.80%

Apples (1kg)

$3.99 $3.99

$5.22 $5.22

-23.56%

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 $1.52

$1.98 $1.98

-23.23%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$4.06 $4.06

6.40%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.40 $5.40

$4.97 $4.97

8.65%

Potato (1kg)

$2.89 $2.89

$2.67 $2.67

8.24%

Onion (1kg)

$3.33 $3.33

$2.66 $2.66

25.19%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 $1.03

$2.24 $2.24

-54.02%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.97 $1.97

$3.13 $3.13

-37.06%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.26 $9.26

$13.82 $13.82

-33.00%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.17 $14.17

$14.88 $14.88

-4.77%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.05 $2.05

$2.54 $2.54

-19.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$3.51 $3.51

-29.91%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.22 $2.22

$2.43 $2.43

-8.64%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$57.2 $57.2

$73.5 $73.5

-22.24%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.15 $3.15

$3.18 $3.18

-0.94%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.88 $1.88

$1.39 $1.39

35.25%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$31.75 $31.75

$25.03 $25.03

26.85%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$1.20 $1.20

-14.17%

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

$28.2K $28.2K

$35.0K $35.0K

-19.58%

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

$22.7K $22.7K

$26.7K $26.7K

-14.94%

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

$171 $171

$194 $194

-12.09%

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

$57.2 $57.2

$69.5 $69.5

-17.68%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.7 $76.7

$61.6 $61.6

24.45%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.63 $40.63

$47.90 $47.90

-15.18%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$30.36 $30.36

$27.34 $27.34

11.05%

Cinema Ticket

$12.93 $12.93

$17.81 $17.81

-27.40%

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

$895 $895

$1,794 $1,794

-50.10%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.2K $15.2K

$31.9K $31.9K

-52.28%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.90 $41.90

$67.0 $67.0

-37.48%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.12 $42.12

$52.1 $52.1

-19.22%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.9 $78.9

$102 $102

-22.26%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$103 $103

$144 $144

-28.24%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,161 $2,161

$2,526 $2,526

-14.46%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,242 $2,242

$1,578 $1,578

42.05%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,871 $3,871

$4,738 $4,738

-18.30%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,548 $3,548

$2,693 $2,693

31.75%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,223 $3,223

$4,190 $4,190

-23.07%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,538 $2,538

$2,768 $2,768

-8.29%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,237 $3,237

$4,931 $4,931

-34.34%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.25

6.81

-8.22%

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

Last update for Homestead, FL: October 24, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Homestead, FL

$2.2K 64.8%

Chicago, IL

$1.6K 52% 29.6% $664

Groceries & Markets

Homestead, FL

$339 9.8%

Chicago, IL

$447 14.7% 31.8% $108

Eating Out

Homestead, FL

$309 8.9%

Chicago, IL

$345 11.4% 11.6% $36

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Homestead, FL

$305 8.8%

Chicago, IL

$326 10.7% 6.8% $21

Clothing & Footwear

Homestead, FL

$120 3.5%

Chicago, IL

$164 5.4% 37% $44

Getting Around

Homestead, FL

$79 2.3%

Chicago, IL

$93 3.1% 18.7% $15

Sport & Entertainment

Homestead, FL

$67 1.9%

Chicago, IL

$84 2.8% 25.6% $17

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,161 in Homestead, FL versus $2,526 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 52% 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 $74 in Homestead, FL versus $89 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $339 vs $447 – making Homestead, FL the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Homestead, FL

🇺🇸 Chicago, IL

🕒 Local time

00:26 12:26 AM

23:26 11:26 PM

1 h behind Homestead, FL

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

80,737

2,746,388

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.893 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Between locations

Homestead, FL Chicago, IL 1,940 km ≈ 3 h nonstop flight

From you

Homestead, FL
Chicago, IL

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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

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

Homestead, FL costs about 14% more than Chicago, IL, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from utilities. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,190 per month in Homestead, FL and $4,555 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Homestead, FL, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $2,161 there versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL.

Interestingly, groceries are about 24% cheaper in Homestead, FL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $74 in Homestead, FL and $89 in Chicago, IL. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,460 in Homestead, FL and $3,037 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 $3,037 in Chicago, IL to $3,460 in Homestead, FL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.