Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Tampa

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Tampa, Florida.

Bottom line

Chicago is approximately 4% more expensive than Tampa. A single person needs about $3,707/mo in Chicago versus $3,567/mo in Tampa.

Rent in Chicago vs Tampa

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Tampa · Studio

$1,566

Tampa is $108 (7%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Tampa · 1 bedroom

$1,686

Tampa is $126 (8%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Tampa · 2 bedroom

$1,978

Tampa is $217 (12%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Tampa · 3 bedroom

$2,533

Tampa is $271 (12%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Tampa

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Tampa · Household income

$75,011

Chicago is $6,786 (9%) higher than Tampa

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Tampa · Individual earnings

$43,484

Chicago is $5,814 (13%) higher than Tampa

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Tampa · Per capita

$41,980

Chicago is $5,821 (14%) higher than Tampa

Home values in Chicago vs Tampa

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Tampa · Average home value

$333,300

Tampa is $28,100 (9%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Tampa · Annual property tax

$2,787

Chicago is $3,266 (117%) higher than Tampa

Energy in Chicago vs Tampa

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Tampa · Monthly electricity

$176

Tampa is $60 (52%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Tampa · Monthly gas

$21

Chicago is $40 (190%) higher than Tampa

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Tampa · Annual total

$2,364

Tampa is $240 (11%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Tampa

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Tampa · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Tampa are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Tampa · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Tampa are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Tampa · Uninsured rate

11.5%

Tampa is 2.5% (28%) higher than Chicago

Taxes in Chicago vs Tampa

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Tampa · State income tax

0.0%

Chicago is 5.0% higher than Tampa

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Tampa · State sales tax

6.0%

Chicago is 0.3% (4%) higher than Tampa

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Tampa · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Chicago is 1.8% (26%) higher than Tampa

Transportation in Chicago vs Tampa

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Tampa · Average commute

28.7 min

Chicago is 3.2 min (11%) higher than Tampa

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Tampa · Drive alone

68.9%

Tampa is 12.7% (23%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Tampa · Public transit

0.8%

Chicago is 12.2% (1525%) higher than Tampa

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Tampa

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Tampa · Single person

$3,567

Chicago is $140 (4%) higher than Tampa

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Tampa · Couple

$4,974

Chicago is $191 (4%) higher than Tampa

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Tampa · Family

$7,687

Chicago is $124 (2%) higher than Tampa

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Tampa.

Is Chicago or Tampa more expensive?

Chicago is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,567/mo in Tampa, Florida, a difference of about 4%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Tampa?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,686/mo in Tampa, Florida. Tampa is approximately $126 (8%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Tampa?

Chicago has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Tampa households earn approximately $75,011 per year.

More on Chicago and Tampa

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

Chicago profile Tampa 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.