Cost of living · head to head
Miami, FL is 10% pricier than Chicago, IL.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Chicago, ILoverall index
103.6
Miami, FLoverall index
114.2
Try your own salary
in Chicago, IL
To live the same in Miami, FL, you’d need about $110,232.
That’s about $10,232 more — Miami, FL is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 10%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Miami, FL runs 39% higher than in Chicago, IL (155.6 vs 112), 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 Miami, FL
| $50,000 in Chicago, IL | $55,116 |
| $75,000 in Chicago, IL | $82,674 |
| $100,000 in Chicago, IL | $110,232 |
| $150,000 in Chicago, IL | $165,347 |
| $200,000 in Chicago, IL | $220,463 |
Each row shows the salary in Miami, FL that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Chicago, IL.
Chicago, IL · housing
112
Miami, FL · housing
155.6
Common questions
Is Miami, FL cheaper than Chicago, IL?
No — Miami, FL has an overall cost-of-living index of 114.2 versus 103.6 for Chicago, IL, making it about 10% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Miami, FL to match $100,000 in Chicago, IL?
About $110,232. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Chicago, IL costs roughly $110,232 in Miami, FL.
Is housing cheaper in Miami, FL than in Chicago, IL?
Housing in Miami, FL scores 155.6 versus 112 in Chicago, IL — about 39% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Chicago, IL and Miami, FL?
Overall, Miami, FL is about 10% pricier than Chicago, IL (index 114.2 vs 103.6), with housing 39% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.