Median rent is 34% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $2,087/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $315,200 versus $420,200. Households earn more in Apollo Beach ($113,130 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Apollo Beach, FL
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Apollo Beach, 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
Apollo Beach
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Chicago — median rent of $1,380/mo versus $2,087/mo in Apollo Beach, a 34% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Apollo Beach: the median home is $420,200 versus $315,200 in Chicago — 25% more expensive.
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 Apollo Beach a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Florida and 6.25% in Illinois; Apollo Beach has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Apollo Beach
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 Apollo Beach.
Pick Apollo Beach if you prioritize higher median household income ($113,130/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,380/mo median).
Pick Apollo Beach if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Apollo Beach cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Apollo Beach vs Chicago?
Median rent is $2,087/mo in Apollo Beach, FL and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 34%.
Which has higher salaries — Apollo Beach or Chicago?
Median household income is $113,130 in Apollo Beach, FL and $75,134 in Chicago, IL. Apollo Beach, FL 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 — Apollo Beach 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 Apollo Beach 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