Median rent is 24% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $1,809/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $315,200 versus $460,600. Households earn more in Bonita Springs ($90,486 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Bonita Springs, FL
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Bonita 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
Bonita 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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Chicago — median rent of $1,380/mo versus $1,809/mo in Bonita Springs, a 24% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Bonita Springs: the median home is $460,600 versus $315,200 in Chicago — 32% 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 Bonita Springs a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Florida and 6.25% in Illinois; Bonita Springs has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Bonita 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 Bonita Springs.
Pick Bonita Springs if you prioritize higher median household income ($90,486/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,380/mo median).
Pick Bonita Springs if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Bonita Springs cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Bonita Springs vs Chicago?
Median rent is $1,809/mo in Bonita Springs, FL and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 24%.
Which has higher salaries — Bonita Springs or Chicago?
Median household income is $90,486 in Bonita Springs, FL and $75,134 in Chicago, IL. Bonita Springs, 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 — Bonita 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 Bonita 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