Median rent is 39% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $2,261/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $315,200 versus $451,600. Households earn more in Fruit Cove ($137,906 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Fruit Cove, FL
How much would you need to earn in Fruit Cove, FL to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
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
Chicago
Illinois
Fruit Cove
Florida
👥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 $2,261/mo in Fruit Cove, a 39% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Fruit Cove: the median home is $451,600 versus $315,200 in Chicago — 30% 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 Fruit Cove a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.00% in Florida; Fruit Cove has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Fruit Cove
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Fruit Cove.
Pick Fruit Cove if you prioritize higher median household income ($137,906/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,380/mo median).
Pick Fruit Cove if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Chicago cheaper than Fruit Cove?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Fruit Cove?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $2,261/mo in Fruit Cove, FL. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 39%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Fruit Cove?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $137,906 in Fruit Cove, FL. Fruit Cove, 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 — Chicago or Fruit Cove?
Florida has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in Fruit Cove to match my Chicago 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