Median rent is 13% lower in Pace ($1,195/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Pace, where the median home runs $271,400 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Pace ($84,912 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Pace, FL
How much would you need to earn in Pace, 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
Pace
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 Pace at $1,195/mo compared to $1,380/mo in Chicago (13% gap). Median home values are within 14% of each other: $315,200 in Chicago and $271,400 in Pace.
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 Pace a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.00% in Florida; Pace has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Pace
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Pace.
Pick Pace if you prioritize higher median household income ($84,912/yr).
Pick Pace if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,195/mo median).
Pick Pace if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Chicago cheaper than Pace?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Pace?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,195/mo in Pace, FL. Pace, FL has the lower rent by about 13%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Pace?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $84,912 in Pace, FL. Pace, 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 Pace?
Florida has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in Pace 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