Median rent is 9% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $1,518/mo). Buying is cheaper in Lauderdale Lakes, where the median home runs $203,100 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $44,333 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Lauderdale Lakes, FL
How much would you need to earn in Lauderdale Lakes, 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
Lauderdale Lakes
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 $1,518/mo in Lauderdale Lakes (9% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $203,100 in Lauderdale Lakes — 36% 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 Lauderdale Lakes a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.00% in Florida; Lauderdale Lakes has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Lauderdale Lakes
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Lauderdale Lakes.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Lauderdale Lakes if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Chicago cheaper than Lauderdale Lakes?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Lauderdale Lakes?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,518/mo in Lauderdale Lakes, FL. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 9%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Lauderdale Lakes?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $44,333 in Lauderdale Lakes, 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 Lauderdale Lakes?
Florida has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in Lauderdale Lakes 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