Side-by-side comparison

Fort Lauderdale vs Chicago

Cost of living comparison for Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Chicago, Illinois.

Bottom line

Fort Lauderdale is approximately 4% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $3,847/mo in Fort Lauderdale versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Fort Lauderdale vs Chicago

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fort Lauderdale · Studio

$1,768

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Fort Lauderdale is $310 (21%) higher than Chicago

Fort Lauderdale · 1 bedroom

$1,929

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Fort Lauderdale is $369 (24%) higher than Chicago

Fort Lauderdale · 2 bedroom

$2,388

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Fort Lauderdale is $627 (36%) higher than Chicago

Fort Lauderdale · 3 bedroom

$3,297

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Fort Lauderdale is $1,035 (46%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Fort Lauderdale vs Chicago

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fort Lauderdale · Household income

$74,534

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Chicago is $7,263 (10%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale · Individual earnings

$41,515

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Chicago is $7,783 (19%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale · Per capita

$41,910

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Chicago is $5,891 (14%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Home values in Fort Lauderdale vs Chicago

Average values and property tax.

Fort Lauderdale · Average home value

$380,400

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Fort Lauderdale is $75,200 (25%) higher than Chicago

Fort Lauderdale · Annual property tax

$3,610

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Chicago is $2,443 (68%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Energy in Fort Lauderdale vs Chicago

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fort Lauderdale · Monthly electricity

$176

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Fort Lauderdale is $60 (52%) higher than Chicago

Fort Lauderdale · Monthly gas

$21

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Chicago is $40 (190%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale · Annual total

$2,364

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Fort Lauderdale is $240 (11%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Fort Lauderdale vs Chicago

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fort Lauderdale · Individual premium

$480

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Fort Lauderdale and Chicago are about the same

Fort Lauderdale · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Fort Lauderdale and Chicago are about the same

Fort Lauderdale · Uninsured rate

13.3%

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Fort Lauderdale is 4.3% (48%) higher than Chicago

Taxes in Fort Lauderdale vs Chicago

State income and sales tax.

Fort Lauderdale · State income tax

0.0%

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Chicago is 5.0% higher than Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale · State sales tax

6.0%

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Chicago is 0.3% (4%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Chicago is 1.8% (26%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Transportation in Fort Lauderdale vs Chicago

Commute time and travel modes.

Fort Lauderdale · Average commute

29.0 min

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Chicago is 2.9 min (10%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale · Drive alone

71.9%

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Fort Lauderdale is 15.7% (28%) higher than Chicago

Fort Lauderdale · Public transit

2.0%

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Chicago is 11.0% (550%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Monthly cost estimates in Fort Lauderdale vs Chicago

All categories combined.

Fort Lauderdale · Single person

$3,847

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Fort Lauderdale is $140 (4%) higher than Chicago

Fort Lauderdale · Couple

$5,446

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Fort Lauderdale is $281 (5%) higher than Chicago

Fort Lauderdale · Family

$8,513

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Fort Lauderdale is $702 (9%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fort Lauderdale and Chicago.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Chicago more expensive?

Fort Lauderdale is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,847/mo in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois, a difference of about 4%.

What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Chicago?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is $1,929/mo versus $1,560/mo in Chicago, Illinois. Fort Lauderdale is approximately $369 (24%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Chicago?

Chicago has the higher average household income. Fort Lauderdale households earn approximately $74,534 per year; Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year.

More on Fort Lauderdale and Chicago

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Fort Lauderdale profile Chicago profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.