Cost of Living: Chicago, IL vs Cape Coral, FL (2026)

Chicago

Illinois
100
VS

Cape Coral

Florida
114

Chicago is 12% cheaper than Cape Coral.

$1,380/mo ↓ 21%
Median Rent
$1,751/mo ↑ 27%
$75,134/yr ↓ 1%
Median Income
$76,062/yr ↑ 1%
$315,200 ↓ 7%
Home Value
$339,200 ↑ 8%
$1,502/mo ↓ 1%
Owner Costs
$1,523/mo ↑ 1%
2,707,648
Population
206,387

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
2.07%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

22.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Chicago, IL and Cape Coral, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 114 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $371/month cheaper in Chicago, saving renters about $4,452/year.

Median household income is $928/year higher in Cape Coral. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Chicago is $315,200 compared to $339,200 in Cape Coral.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Cape Coral residents a significant tax advantage over Illinois's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago vs Cape Coral — common questions

Is Chicago or Cape Coral cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Chicago is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 114 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Chicago and Cape Coral?
Median rent in Chicago is $1,380/month and in Cape Coral it's $1,751/month — a difference of $371/month.
Which city has higher income, Chicago or Cape Coral?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago and $76,062 in Cape Coral. Median household income is $928/year higher in Cape Coral.
How do taxes compare between Illinois and Florida?
Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Chicago or Cape Coral?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,380/mo, while Cape Coral has a cost index of 114 with rent of $1,751/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Chicago details → View Cape Coral details →

More Comparisons

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