Median rent is 23% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $1,801/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $315,200 versus $341,500. Households earn more in West Melbourne ($90,521 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
West Melbourne, FL
How much would you need to earn in West Melbourne, 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
West Melbourne
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 $1,801/mo in West Melbourne, a 23% difference. Median home values are within 8% of each other: $315,200 in Chicago and $341,500 in West Melbourne.
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 West Melbourne a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.00% in Florida; West Melbourne has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
West Melbourne
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for West Melbourne.
Pick West Melbourne if you prioritize higher median household income ($90,521/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,380/mo median).
Pick West Melbourne if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Chicago cheaper than West Melbourne?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs West Melbourne?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,801/mo in West Melbourne, FL. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 23%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or West Melbourne?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $90,521 in West Melbourne, FL. West Melbourne, 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 West Melbourne?
Florida has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in West Melbourne 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