Cost of Living Comparison Between Key West, FL and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Key West, FL and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,796 per month in Key West, FL vs $3,106 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $6,948 per month in Key West, FL vs $4,599 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,100 per month in Key West, FL vs $6,092 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Key West, FL costs about 54% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Key West, FL and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Key West, FL by 249%, Chicago, IL by 126%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$21.66 $21.66

$19.86 $19.86

9.06%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.4 $99.4

$88.3 $88.3

12.46%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.95 $11.95

$13.23 $13.23

-9.67%

Cappuccino

$4.64 $4.64

$5.86 $5.86

-20.82%

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

$2.35 $2.35

$2.61 $2.61

-9.96%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.91 $1.91

$2.32 $2.32

-17.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.84 $5.84

$7.03 $7.03

-16.93%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.82 $6.82

$9.25 $9.25

-26.27%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.34 $1.34

-22.39%

White Bread (500g)

$3.63 $3.63

$4.19 $4.19

-13.37%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.53 $6.53

$5.50 $5.50

18.73%

Eggs

$5.42 $5.42

$4.71 $4.71

15.07%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.36 $11.36

$14.72 $14.72

-22.83%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.41 $13.41

$14.53 $14.53

-7.71%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$24.19 $24.19

$19.69 $19.69

22.85%

Apples (1kg)

$4.81 $4.81

$5.64 $5.64

-14.72%

Banana (1kg)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.97 $1.97

-0.51%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.68 $3.68

$4.04 $4.04

-8.91%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.91 $4.91

$5.07 $5.07

-3.16%

Potato (1kg)

$6.21 $6.21

$2.94 $2.94

111.22%

Onion (1kg)

$3.36 $3.36

$2.92 $2.92

15.07%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.57 $3.57

$2.28 $2.28

56.58%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.56 $2.56

$3.12 $3.12

-17.95%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.05 $8.05

$16.19 $16.19

-50.28%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.81 $13.81

$15.17 $15.17

-8.97%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 $1.91

$2.67 $2.67

-28.46%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.29 $2.29

$3.48 $3.48

-34.20%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.91 $3.91

$2.54 $2.54

53.94%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.91 $3.91

$3.16 $3.16

23.73%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.20 $3.20

$1.37 $1.37

133.58%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.17 $30.17

$22.66 $22.66

33.14%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.86 $0.86

$1.20 $1.20

-28.33%

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

$37.2K $37.2K

$37.0K $37.0K

0.39%

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

$25.2K $25.2K

$26.0K $26.0K

-3.26%

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

$212 $212

$190 $190

11.64%

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

$53.8 $53.8

$68.5 $68.5

-21.41%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.8 $73.8

$61.1 $61.1

20.95%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.8 $78.8

$63.8 $63.8

23.58%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$13.86 $13.86

$18.28 $18.28

-24.18%

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

$1,098 $1,098

$1,525 $1,525

-27.97%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$21.1K $21.1K

$32.0K $32.0K

-34.21%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.22 $46.22

$64.0 $64.0

-27.80%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$41.63 $41.63

$54.4 $54.4

-23.47%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.2 $71.2

$101 $101

-29.20%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.2 $69.2

$153 $153

-54.90%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,438 $3,438

$2,421 $2,421

41.98%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,434 $3,434

$1,690 $1,690

103.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$7,221 $7,221

$4,584 $4,584

57.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,980 $5,980

$2,782 $2,782

114.92%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$9,706 $9,706

$4,170 $4,170

132.77%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$9,672 $9,672

$2,739 $2,739

253.14%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,971 $5,971

$4,777 $4,777

24.99%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.07

6.38

-4.86%

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

Last update for Key West, FL: August 31, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,438 in Key West, FL versus $2,421 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 25% higher in Key West, FL, 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 $99.0 in Key West, FL versus $88.0 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $455 in Key West, FL vs $465 in Chicago, IL – so Key West, 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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $4,796 in Key West, FL, $3,106 in Chicago, IL – roughly 54% apart. Key West, FL costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $7,194 per month in Key West, FL and $4,659 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 $99.0 in Key West, FL and $88.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 2% cheaper in Key West, 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 $4,796 in Key West, FL and $3,106 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 $3,106 in Chicago, IL to $4,796 in Key West, 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, Key West, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.