Cost of Living Comparison Between Pembroke Pines, FL and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Pembroke Pines, FL and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,282 per month in Pembroke Pines, FL vs $3,077 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Pembroke Pines, FL vs $4,628 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,975 per month in Pembroke Pines, FL vs $6,179 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Pembroke Pines, FL costs about 7% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Pembroke Pines, FL and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Pembroke Pines, FL by 145%, Chicago, IL by 130%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.86 $20.86

$20.91 $20.91

-0.24%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$89.0 $89.0

$98.1 $98.1

-9.34%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.82 $9.82

$11.86 $11.86

-17.20%

Cappuccino

$4.94 $4.94

$5.60 $5.60

-11.79%

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

$2.64 $2.64

$3.07 $3.07

-14.01%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.89 $1.89

$2.47 $2.47

-23.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.16 $6.16

$7.14 $7.14

-13.73%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.67 $6.67

$8.08 $8.08

-17.45%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

White Bread (500g)

$2.93 $2.93

$4.11 $4.11

-28.71%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.40 $3.40

$5.61 $5.61

-39.39%

Eggs

$4.05 $4.05

$4.51 $4.51

-10.20%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.34 $11.34

$14.27 $14.27

-20.53%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.01 $14.01

$14.89 $14.89

-5.91%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.89 $17.89

$19.19 $19.19

-6.77%

Apples (1kg)

$4.81 $4.81

$5.14 $5.14

-6.42%

Banana (1kg)

$1.67 $1.67

$1.77 $1.77

-5.65%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$4.39 $4.39

-0.68%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.37 $5.37

$4.56 $4.56

17.76%

Potato (1kg)

$3.50 $3.50

$2.54 $2.54

37.80%

Onion (1kg)

$3.49 $3.49

$2.75 $2.75

26.91%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.23 $2.23

$2.42 $2.42

-7.85%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.10 $2.10

$2.62 $2.62

-19.85%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.31 $8.31

$14.92 $14.92

-44.30%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.17 $13.17

$14.80 $14.80

-11.01%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 $1.70

$2.46 $2.46

-30.89%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.76 $2.76

$3.73 $3.73

-26.01%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.02 $2.02

$2.48 $2.48

-18.55%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$44.91 $44.91

$75.4 $75.4

-40.46%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.56 $2.56

$3.18 $3.18

-19.50%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.58 $1.58

$1.42 $1.42

11.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.71 $21.71

$24.94 $24.94

-12.95%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.82 $0.82

$1.06 $1.06

-22.64%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$31.9K $31.9K

-18.09%

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

$24.5K $24.5K

$26.0K $26.0K

-6.04%

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

$174 $174

$185 $185

-5.98%

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

$45.58 $45.58

$61.7 $61.7

-26.17%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.5 $70.5

$66.9 $66.9

5.30%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.83 $42.83

$75.2 $75.2

-43.02%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$15.04 $15.04

$14.71 $14.71

2.24%

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

$828 $828

$2,020 $2,020

-59.03%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.9K $15.9K

$39.4K $39.4K

-59.75%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.92 $46.92

$64.6 $64.6

-27.38%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.63 $45.63

$52.5 $52.5

-13.00%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.9 $93.9

$97.8 $97.8

-4.00%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$117 $117

$148 $148

-20.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,320 $2,320

$2,313 $2,313

0.33%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,030 $2,030

$1,590 $1,590

27.66%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,113 $3,113

$4,608 $4,608

-32.45%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,943 $2,943

$2,779 $2,779

5.92%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,435 $2,435

$3,922 $3,922

-37.91%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,563 $3,563

$2,613 $2,613

36.37%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,462 $4,462

$5,217 $5,217

-14.47%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.53

6.6

-1.06%

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

Last update for Pembroke Pines, FL: June 1, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,320 in Pembroke Pines, 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 17% 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 $89.0 in Pembroke Pines, FL versus $98.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $398 vs $447 – making Pembroke Pines, 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

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

Pembroke Pines, FL costs about 7% more than Chicago, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,923 per month in Pembroke Pines, FL and $4,616 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.

Interestingly, groceries are about 12% cheaper in Pembroke Pines, FL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Pembroke Pines, FL and $98.0 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 $3,282 in Pembroke Pines, FL and $3,077 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL to $3,282 in Pembroke Pines, 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, Pembroke Pines, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.