Median rent is 39% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $2,269/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $315,200 versus $554,300. Households earn more in Palm Beach Gardens ($110,563 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
How much would you need to earn in Palm Beach Gardens, 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
Palm Beach Gardens
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 $2,269/mo in Palm Beach Gardens, a 39% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Palm Beach Gardens: the median home is $554,300 versus $315,200 in Chicago — 43% 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 Palm Beach Gardens a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.00% in Florida; Palm Beach Gardens has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Palm Beach Gardens
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Palm Beach Gardens.
Pick Palm Beach Gardens if you prioritize higher median household income ($110,563/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,380/mo median).
Pick Palm Beach Gardens if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Chicago cheaper than Palm Beach Gardens?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Palm Beach Gardens?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $2,269/mo in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 39%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Palm Beach Gardens?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $110,563 in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Palm Beach Gardens, 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 Palm Beach Gardens?
Florida has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in Palm Beach Gardens 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