Cost of living · head to head
Chicago, IL is 9% cheaper than Miami, FL.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Miami, FLoverall index
114.2
Chicago, ILoverall index
103.6
Try your own salary
in Miami, FL
To live the same in Chicago, IL, you’d need about $90,718.
That’s about $9,282 less — Chicago, IL is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 9%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Chicago, IL runs 28% lower than in Miami, FL (112 vs 155.6), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Chicago, IL
| $50,000 in Miami, FL | $45,359 |
| $75,000 in Miami, FL | $68,039 |
| $100,000 in Miami, FL | $90,718 |
| $150,000 in Miami, FL | $136,077 |
| $200,000 in Miami, FL | $181,436 |
Each row shows the salary in Chicago, IL that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Miami, FL.
Miami, FL · housing
155.6
Chicago, IL · housing
112
Common questions
Is Chicago, IL cheaper than Miami, FL?
Yes — Chicago, IL has an overall cost-of-living index of 103.6 versus 114.2 for Miami, FL, making it about 9% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Chicago, IL to match $100,000 in Miami, FL?
About $90,718. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Miami, FL costs roughly $90,718 in Chicago, IL.
Is housing cheaper in Chicago, IL than in Miami, FL?
Housing in Chicago, IL scores 112 versus 155.6 in Miami, FL — about 28% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Miami, FL and Chicago, IL?
Overall, Chicago, IL is about 9% cheaper than Miami, FL (index 103.6 vs 114.2), with housing 28% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.