City comparison

Chicago vs Miami Cost of Living

Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Chicago (113.6) and Miami (132.2).

Chicago Index
113.6
Miami Index
132.2
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Miami Rent
$3,325
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Miami Home price
$607,000

Salary equivalent calculator

Enter your current salary in Chicago to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Miami.

Equivalent salary in Miami
$105,900
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Chicago and Miami.

Category-by-category differences

Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.

CategoryChicagoMiamiDifference
Housing128172+44.0 (+34.4%)
Groceries106116+10.0 (+9.4%)
Transportation112106-6.0 (-5.4%)
Healthcare104108+4.0 (+3.8%)
Utilities101111+10.0 (+9.9%)
Miscellaneous105115+10.0 (+9.5%)

Budget comparison

Single
$5,130 / $6,210
Chicago / Miami
Couple
$8,520 / $10,310
Chicago / Miami
Family
$12,000 / $14,530
Chicago / Miami

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: Q1 2026

Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.

Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.