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

Chicago

Illinois
100
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Chicago is 5% cheaper than Clearwater.

$1,380/mo ↓ 10%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↑ 12%
$75,134/yr ↑ 17%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 14%
$315,200 ↓ 3%
Home Value
$326,100 ↑ 3%
$1,502/mo ↑ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 6%
2,707,648
Population
117,075

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
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Chicago, IL and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $159/month cheaper in Chicago, saving renters about $1,908/year.

Median household income is $10,694/year higher in Chicago. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Chicago is $315,200 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Chicago or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Chicago is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Chicago and Clearwater?
Median rent in Chicago is $1,380/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $159/month.
Which city has higher income, Chicago or Clearwater?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $10,694/year higher in Chicago.
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 Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,380/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Chicago details → View Clearwater details →

More Comparisons

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