Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs West Palm Beach

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Bottom line

West Palm Beach is approximately 1% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $3,761/mo in West Palm Beach versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs West Palm Beach

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

West Palm Beach · Studio

$1,639

West Palm Beach is $181 (12%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

West Palm Beach · 1 bedroom

$1,830

West Palm Beach is $270 (17%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

West Palm Beach · 2 bedroom

$2,187

West Palm Beach is $426 (24%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

West Palm Beach · 3 bedroom

$2,856

West Palm Beach is $594 (26%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs West Palm Beach

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

West Palm Beach · Household income

$81,115

Chicago is $682 (1%) higher than West Palm Beach

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

West Palm Beach · Individual earnings

$42,309

Chicago is $6,989 (17%) higher than West Palm Beach

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

West Palm Beach · Per capita

$50,998

West Palm Beach is $3,197 (7%) higher than Chicago

Home values in Chicago vs West Palm Beach

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

West Palm Beach · Average home value

$407,300

West Palm Beach is $102,100 (33%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

West Palm Beach · Annual property tax

$3,600

Chicago is $2,453 (68%) higher than West Palm Beach

Energy in Chicago vs West Palm Beach

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

West Palm Beach · Monthly electricity

$176

West Palm Beach is $60 (52%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

West Palm Beach · Monthly gas

$21

Chicago is $40 (190%) higher than West Palm Beach

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

West Palm Beach · Annual total

$2,364

West Palm Beach is $240 (11%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs West Palm Beach

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

West Palm Beach · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and West Palm Beach are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

West Palm Beach · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and West Palm Beach are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

West Palm Beach · Uninsured rate

13.2%

West Palm Beach is 4.2% (47%) higher than Chicago

Taxes in Chicago vs West Palm Beach

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

West Palm Beach · State income tax

0.0%

Chicago is 5.0% higher than West Palm Beach

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

West Palm Beach · State sales tax

6.0%

Chicago is 0.3% (4%) higher than West Palm Beach

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

West Palm Beach · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Chicago is 1.8% (26%) higher than West Palm Beach

Transportation in Chicago vs West Palm Beach

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

West Palm Beach · Average commute

26.4 min

Chicago is 5.5 min (21%) higher than West Palm Beach

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

West Palm Beach · Drive alone

71.4%

West Palm Beach is 15.2% (27%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

West Palm Beach · Public transit

1.4%

Chicago is 11.6% (829%) higher than West Palm Beach

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs West Palm Beach

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

West Palm Beach · Single person

$3,761

West Palm Beach is $54 (1%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

West Palm Beach · Couple

$5,353

West Palm Beach is $188 (4%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

West Palm Beach · Family

$8,180

West Palm Beach is $369 (5%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and West Palm Beach.

Is Chicago or West Palm Beach more expensive?

West Palm Beach is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,761/mo in West Palm Beach, Florida, a difference of about 1%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and West Palm Beach?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,830/mo in West Palm Beach, Florida. West Palm Beach is approximately $270 (17%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or West Palm Beach?

Chicago has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; West Palm Beach households earn approximately $81,115 per year.

More on Chicago and West Palm Beach

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

Chicago profile West Palm Beach 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.