Median rent is 15% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $1,624/mo). Buying is cheaper in Altamonte Springs, where the median home runs $263,600 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $64,106 a year).
City A
Altamonte Springs, FL
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Altamonte Springs, FL?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Altamonte Springs
Florida
Chicago
Illinois
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Chicago at $1,380/mo compared to $1,624/mo in Altamonte Springs (15% gap). Median home values are within 16% of each other: $263,600 in Altamonte Springs and $315,200 in Chicago.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Florida has no state income tax, while Illinois tops out at 4.95% — giving Altamonte Springs a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Florida and 6.25% in Illinois; Altamonte Springs has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Altamonte Springs
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Altamonte Springs.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,380/mo median).
Pick Altamonte Springs if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Altamonte Springs cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Altamonte Springs vs Chicago?
Median rent is $1,624/mo in Altamonte Springs, FL and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 15%.
Which has higher salaries — Altamonte Springs or Chicago?
Median household income is $64,106 in Altamonte Springs, FL and $75,134 in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Altamonte Springs or Chicago?
Florida has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in Chicago to match my Altamonte Springs income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology