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

Chicago

Illinois
100
VS

Hialeah

Florida
109

Chicago is 8% cheaper than Hialeah.

$1,380/mo ↓ 11%
Median Rent
$1,558/mo ↑ 13%
$75,134/yr ↑ 42%
Median Income
$53,079/yr ↓ 29%
$315,200 ↓ 12%
Home Value
$359,200 ↑ 14%
$1,502/mo ↑ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,448/mo ↓ 4%
2,707,648
Population
221,901

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
35.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Chicago, IL and Hialeah, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 109 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $178/month cheaper in Chicago, saving renters about $2,136/year.

Median household income is $22,055/year higher in Chicago. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Chicago is $315,200 compared to $359,200 in Hialeah.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago vs Hialeah — common questions

Is Chicago or Hialeah cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Chicago is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 109 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Chicago and Hialeah?
Median rent in Chicago is $1,380/month and in Hialeah it's $1,558/month — a difference of $178/month.
Which city has higher income, Chicago or Hialeah?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago and $53,079 in Hialeah. Median household income is $22,055/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 Hialeah?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,380/mo, while Hialeah has a cost index of 109 with rent of $1,558/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Chicago details → View Hialeah details →

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