Median rent is 16% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $1,641/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $315,200 versus $365,400. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $64,767 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Golden Gate, FL
How much would you need to earn in Golden Gate, 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
Golden Gate
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Chicago at $1,380/mo compared to $1,641/mo in Golden Gate (16% gap). Median home values are within 14% of each other: $315,200 in Chicago and $365,400 in Golden Gate.
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 Golden Gate a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.00% in Florida; Golden Gate has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Golden Gate
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Golden Gate.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,380/mo median).
Pick Golden Gate if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Chicago cheaper than Golden Gate?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Golden Gate?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,641/mo in Golden Gate, FL. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 16%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Golden Gate?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $64,767 in Golden Gate, FL. 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 — Chicago or Golden Gate?
Florida has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in Golden Gate 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