πA single person spends $2,927 per month in Weston, FL vs $3,077 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
πA couple spends around $4,768 per month in Weston, FL vs $4,628 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
πA family of three spends $6,610 per month in Weston, FL vs $6,179 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
πWeston, FL is about 5% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Weston, FL and Chicago, IL sit above the global median β Weston, FL by 118%, Chicago, IL by 130%.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Weston, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.40$22.40
$20.91$20.91
7.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.3$80.3
$98.1$98.1
-18.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.14$8.14
$11.86$11.86
-31.37%
Cappuccino
$4.21$4.21
$5.60$5.60
-24.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96$1.96
$3.07$3.07
-36.16%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.01$1.01
$2.47$2.47
-59.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.09$6.09
$7.14$7.14
-14.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.07$7.07
$8.08$8.08
-12.50%
π Groceries & Markets
Weston, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18$1.18
$1.05$1.05
12.38%
White Bread(500g)
$4.20$4.20
$4.11$4.11
2.19%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.48$5.48
$5.61$5.61
-2.32%
Eggs
$4.30$4.30
$4.51$4.51
-4.66%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.47$15.47
$14.27$14.27
8.41%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.50$11.50
$14.89$14.89
-22.77%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.14$15.14
$19.19$19.19
-21.10%
Apples(1kg)
$4.45$4.45
$5.14$5.14
-13.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.50$1.50
$1.77$1.77
-15.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$6.18$6.18
$4.39$4.39
40.77%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.51$5.51
$4.56$4.56
20.83%
Potato(1kg)
$4.36$4.36
$2.54$2.54
71.65%
Onion(1kg)
$4.03$4.03
$2.75$2.75
46.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.31$2.31
$2.42$2.42
-4.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.49$1.49
$2.62$2.62
-43.13%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.81$5.81
$14.92$14.92
-61.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.26$12.26
$14.80$14.80
-17.16%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.14$2.14
$2.46$2.46
-13.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06$2.06
$3.73$3.73
-44.77%
π Getting Around
Weston, 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)
-
$75.4$75.4
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.48$2.48
$3.18$3.18
-22.01%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.66$1.66
$1.42$1.42
16.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.99$29.99
$24.94$24.94
20.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.90$0.90
$1.06$1.06
-15.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.5K$30.5K
$31.9K$31.9K
-4.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.8K$24.8K
$26.0K$26.0K
-4.88%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Weston, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$151$151
$185$185
-18.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$69.1$69.1
$61.7$61.7
11.86%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.2$71.2
$66.9$66.9
6.43%
π Sport & Entertainment
Weston, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.06$43.06
$75.2$75.2
-42.72%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.08$13.08
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.32$11.32
$14.71$14.71
-23.05%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Weston, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$853$853
$2,020$2,020
-57.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$40.7K$40.7K
$39.4K$39.4K
3.30%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Weston, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.9$50.9
$64.6$64.6
-21.25%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.5$57.5
$52.5$52.5
9.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.2$77.2
$97.8$97.8
-21.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$99.4$99.4
$148$148
-32.65%
π Accommodation & Living
Weston, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,046$2,046
$2,313$2,313
-11.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,668$1,668
$1,590$1,590
4.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,634$3,634
$4,608$4,608
-21.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$3,723$3,723
$2,779$2,779
33.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,358$5,358
$3,922$3,922
36.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,340$4,340
$2,613$2,613
66.13%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Weston, FL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$7,127$7,127
$5,217$5,217
36.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.57
6.6
-0.45%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Weston, FL: June 2, 2026
Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $2,046 in Weston, 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.
π°Salaries run about 37% higher in Weston, FL, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $80.0 in Weston, FL versus $98.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $413 vs $447 β making Weston, 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
Weston, FL vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Weston, FL and Chicago, IL compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,927 in Weston, FL, $3,077 in Chicago, IL β roughly 5% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Weston, FL compared to Chicago, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,390 per month in Weston, FL and $4,616 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Weston, FL and Chicago, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Weston, FL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Groceries cost about 8% 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 $2,500 budget?
$2,500 is a stretch for both β monthly costs hit $2,927 in Weston, 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 Weston, FL and Chicago, IL?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,927 in Weston, FL to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Weston, FL and Chicago, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Weston, 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.
Weston, FL vs other spots: cost of living compared