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

Chicago

Illinois
100
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Chicago is 24% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale.

$1,380/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↑ 29%
$75,134/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↑ 6%
$315,200 ↓ 31%
Home Value
$455,600 ↑ 45%
$1,502/mo ↓ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 18%
2,707,648
Population
183,032

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
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Chicago, IL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $396/month cheaper in Chicago, saving renters about $4,752/year.

Median household income is $4,801/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Chicago is $315,200 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Chicago or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Chicago is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Chicago and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Chicago is $1,380/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $396/month.
Which city has higher income, Chicago or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $4,801/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
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 Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,380/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Chicago details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

More Comparisons

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