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Chicago vs Miami

Chicago runs about 16% cheaper than Miami for this household, a difference of 693 USD a month.

View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
Taken at PortMiami on March 11, 2024.
Miami
$4,927/month · United States
Kiran891 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
Miami monthly
$4,927
Index 77 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+16%
Miami relative to Chicago
Rent gap
$516
Miami costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

ChicagoMiami
  • Housing
    Housing: Chicago $2,228, Miami $2,744. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Food
    Food: Chicago $788, Miami $849. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Transport
    Transport: Chicago $154, Miami $195. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Chicago $221, Miami $250. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Chicago $525, Miami $547. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Chicago $170, Miami $181. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Other
    Other: Chicago $149, Miami $162. Cheaper in Chicago.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricChicagoMiami
Cost
Total monthly cost4,234 USD✓4,927 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)66✓77
Housing2,228 USD✓2,744 USD
Utilities221 USD✓250 USD
Food788 USD✓849 USD
Transport154 USD✓195 USD
Healthcare525 USD✓547 USD
Lifestyle170 USD✓181 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,228 USD6,575 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate25.3%21.1%✓
Left over each month1,993 USD✓1,648 USD
Average local net salary4,400 USD✓3,900 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,228 USD✓2,744 USD
3-bed rent, city centre4,244 USD✓5,286 USD
Buy price per m², centre4,500 USD✓8,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety52/100✓50/100
Healthcare84/100✓76/100
Air quality62/10068/100✓
Public transport78/100✓48/100
Walkability80/100✓62/100
English proficiency100/100✓88/100
Nightlife88/10090/100✓
Family friendliness66/100✓62/100
Median broadband210 Mbps250 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature10°C✓25°C
Summer high29°C✓32°C
Winter low-8°C15°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h2,900 h✓
Annual rainfall990 mm✓1570 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access15 min15 min
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/ChicagoAmerica/New_York

Chicago runs about 16% cheaper than Miami for this household, a difference of 693 USD a month.

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Cost of living in ChicagoCost of living in MiamiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Chicago vs SeattleChicago vs Los AngelesChicago vs Vancouver
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Chicago or Miami cheaper?

Chicago runs about 16% cheaper than Miami for this household, a difference of 693 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Miami compared with Chicago?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,228 a month in Chicago and $6,575 in Miami, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Chicago or Miami?

Chicago scores 52/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Miami scores 50 and 76. Chicago averages 10°C against 25°C in Miami.