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

Chicago

Illinois
100
VS

Tallahassee

Florida
87

Chicago is 15% more expensive than Tallahassee.

$1,380/mo ↑ 11%
Median Rent
$1,238/mo ↓ 10%
$75,134/yr ↑ 34%
Median Income
$55,931/yr ↓ 26%
$315,200 ↑ 14%
Home Value
$276,000 ↓ 12%
$1,502/mo ↑ 21%
Owner Costs
$1,237/mo ↓ 18%
2,707,648
Population
199,696

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
26.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Chicago, IL and Tallahassee, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 87 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $142/month cheaper in Tallahassee, saving renters about $1,704/year.

Median household income is $19,203/year higher in Chicago. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Chicago is $315,200 compared to $276,000 in Tallahassee.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago vs Tallahassee — common questions

Is Chicago or Tallahassee cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tallahassee is cheaper to live in with an index of 87 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Chicago and Tallahassee?
Median rent in Chicago is $1,380/month and in Tallahassee it's $1,238/month — a difference of $142/month.
Which city has higher income, Chicago or Tallahassee?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago and $55,931 in Tallahassee. Median household income is $19,203/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 Tallahassee?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,380/mo, while Tallahassee has a cost index of 87 with rent of $1,238/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Chicago details → View Tallahassee details →

More Comparisons

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