City comparison
Miami vs Chicago Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Miami (132.2) and Chicago (113.6).
Miami Index
132.2
Chicago Index
113.6
Miami Rent
$3,325
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Miami Home price
$607,000
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Miami to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Chicago.
Equivalent salary in Chicago
$94,523
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Miami and Chicago.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Miami | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 172 | 128 | -44.0 (-25.6%) |
| Groceries | 116 | 106 | -10.0 (-8.6%) |
| Transportation | 106 | 112 | +6.0 (+5.7%) |
| Healthcare | 108 | 104 | -4.0 (-3.7%) |
| Utilities | 111 | 101 | -10.0 (-9.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 115 | 105 | -10.0 (-8.7%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,210 / $5,130
Miami / Chicago
Couple
$10,310 / $8,520
Miami / Chicago
Family
$14,530 / $12,000
Miami / Chicago
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Miami city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Miami.
View Chicago city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Chicago.
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.