๐A single person spends $2,916 per month in North Port, FL vs $3,066 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $3,914 per month in North Port, FL vs $4,583 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $4,913 per month in North Port, FL vs $6,100 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
๐North Port, FL is about 5% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Both North Port, FL and Chicago, IL sit above the global median โ North Port, FL by 116%, Chicago, IL by 128%.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
North Port, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.50$22.50
$20.53$20.53
9.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.9$88.9
$102$102
-12.53%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.07$10.07
$12.03$12.03
-16.29%
Cappuccino
$5.14$5.14
$5.62$5.62
-8.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53$2.53
$3.07$3.07
-17.59%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96$1.96
$2.42$2.42
-19.01%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.97$4.97
$6.98$6.98
-28.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.01$7.01
$8.10$8.10
-13.46%
๐ Groceries & Markets
North Port, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.96$0.96
$1.08$1.08
-11.11%
White Bread(500g)
$2.82$2.82
$3.95$3.95
-28.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.79$1.79
$5.52$5.52
-67.57%
Eggs
$3.06$3.06
$4.55$4.55
-32.75%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.88$10.88
$14.58$14.58
-25.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.25$11.25
$14.91$14.91
-24.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.40$15.40
$18.83$18.83
-18.22%
Apples(1kg)
$4.68$4.68
$5.34$5.34
-12.36%
Banana(1kg)
$0.69$0.69
$1.76$1.76
-60.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.51$3.51
$4.39$4.39
-20.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.15$5.15
$4.37$4.37
17.85%
Potato(1kg)
$2.29$2.29
$2.55$2.55
-10.20%
Onion(1kg)
$1.11$1.11
$2.78$2.78
-60.07%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97$1.97
$2.46$2.46
-19.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.46$1.46
$2.66$2.66
-45.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.71$5.71
$14.74$14.74
-61.26%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.24$13.24
$15.17$15.17
-12.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.06$2.06
$2.45$2.45
-15.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09$2.09
$3.68$3.68
-43.21%
๐ Getting Around
North Port, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.01$2.01
$2.52$2.52
-20.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$74.5$74.5
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.09$5.09
$3.29$3.29
54.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.23$1.23
$1.43$1.43
-13.99%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.41$29.41
$24.86$24.86
18.30%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.93$0.93
$1.09$1.09
-14.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.4K$30.4K
$31.3K$31.3K
-3.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2K$25.2K
$26.8K$26.8K
-5.75%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
North Port, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$121$121
$187$187
-35.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.0$61.0
$62.4$62.4
-2.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.8$64.8
$67.1$67.1
-3.52%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
North Port, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.13$20.13
$75.2$75.2
-73.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.17$13.17
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.60$14.60
$15.21$15.21
-4.01%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
North Port, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$804$804
$2,039$2,039
-60.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$61.0K$61.0K
$39.3K$39.3K
55.11%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
North Port, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.30$25.30
$64.0$64.0
-60.44%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.10$30.10
$50.6$50.6
-40.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$64.3$64.3
$95.4$95.4
-32.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.8$78.8
$144$144
-45.15%
๐ Accommodation & Living
North Port, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,330$2,330
$2,355$2,355
-1.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,776$1,776
$1,613$1,613
10.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,553$3,553
$4,728$4,728
-24.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,414$2,414
$2,754$2,754
-12.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,126$4,126
$3,803$3,803
8.48%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,688$2,688
$2,580$2,580
4.19%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
North Port, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,875$3,875
$4,738$4,738
-18.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6
6.6
-9.09%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for North Port, FL: April 12, 2026
Last update for Chicago, IL: April 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $2,330 in North Port, FL versus $2,355 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.
๐ฐSalaries run about 22% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $89 in North Port, FL versus $102 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $335 vs $447 โ making North Port, 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
North Port, FL vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in North Port, FL and Chicago, IL compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,916 in North Port, FL, $3,066 in Chicago, IL โ roughly 5% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in North Port, FL compared to Chicago, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,374 per month in North Port, FL and $4,599 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
How do rents compare between North Port, FL and Chicago, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in North Port, FL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in North Port, FL and $102 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafรฉ pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 33% 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.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
$3,000 is a stretch for both โ monthly costs hit $2,916 in North Port, FL and $3,066 in Chicago, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between North Port, FL and Chicago, IL?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,916 in North Port, FL to $3,066 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between North Port, FL and Chicago, IL?
If budget matters most, go with North Port, 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.
North Port, FL vs other spots: cost of living compared