Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Miami

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

Bottom line

Miami is approximately 1% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $3,762/mo in Miami versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs Miami

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Miami · Studio

$1,711

Miami is $253 (17%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Miami · 1 bedroom

$1,898

Miami is $338 (22%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Miami · 2 bedroom

$2,329

Miami is $568 (32%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Miami · 3 bedroom

$3,008

Miami is $746 (33%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Miami

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Miami · Household income

$68,694

Chicago is $13,103 (19%) higher than Miami

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Miami · Individual earnings

$38,213

Chicago is $11,085 (29%) higher than Miami

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Miami · Per capita

$37,858

Chicago is $9,943 (26%) higher than Miami

Home values in Chicago vs Miami

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Miami · Average home value

$425,400

Miami is $120,200 (39%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Miami · Annual property tax

$3,516

Chicago is $2,537 (72%) higher than Miami

Energy in Chicago vs Miami

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Miami · Monthly electricity

$176

Miami is $60 (52%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Miami · Monthly gas

$21

Chicago is $40 (190%) higher than Miami

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Miami · Annual total

$2,364

Miami is $240 (11%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Miami

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Miami · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Miami are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Miami · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Miami are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Miami · Uninsured rate

14.3%

Miami is 5.3% (59%) higher than Chicago

Taxes in Chicago vs Miami

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Miami · State income tax

0.0%

Chicago is 5.0% higher than Miami

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Miami · State sales tax

6.0%

Chicago is 0.3% (4%) higher than Miami

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Miami · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Chicago is 1.8% (26%) higher than Miami

Transportation in Chicago vs Miami

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Miami · Average commute

31.0 min

Chicago is 0.9 min (3%) higher than Miami

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Miami · Drive alone

70.7%

Miami is 14.5% (26%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Miami · Public transit

3.3%

Chicago is 9.7% (294%) higher than Miami

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Miami

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Miami · Single person

$3,762

Miami is $55 (1%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Miami · Couple

$5,291

Miami is $126 (2%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Miami · Family

$8,128

Miami is $317 (4%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Miami.

Is Chicago or Miami more expensive?

Miami is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,762/mo in Miami, Florida, a difference of about 1%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Miami?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,898/mo in Miami, Florida. Miami is approximately $338 (22%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Miami?

Chicago has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Miami households earn approximately $68,694 per year.

More on Chicago and Miami

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

Chicago profile Miami 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.