on $100k a year, leaving Miami
changea dispatch from
chicago
IL
41.88°N
87.63°W
Chicago is deep-dish for tourists, thin-crust tavern style for locals, and a hot dog that absolutely will not have ketchup on it. The L rumbles overhead, the lakefront stretches for 18 unbroken miles of beach and trail, and the architecture boat tour is the single best $50 you'll spend. Summer in Chicago might be the best summer in America. The improv comedy gene pool is unmatched.
in our guides
the verdict
under Miami, every month
Chicago and Miami land close on cost. The reasons to move are about how you'd live, not what you'd save.
a quick ledger.
$2,170/mo
19% cheaper than Miami(vs $2,665/mo)
4.95%
$413/mo more in state tax than Miami
vs 0% in Miami
$5,751/mo
$83 more than Miami
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$365k
35% cheaper than Miami
vs $565k in Miami
9.3M
vs 6.2M in Miami
field notes, weather & such.
153
pleasant days a year, in chicago.
Miami actually gets more: 272 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 38 days below 20° vs Miami's 0.
A real upgrade on things to do: 1.3× Miami's pace.
70/100
9% lower than Miami
vs 77/100 in Miami
Closest outdoor draw: Indiana Dunes National Park, 27.2 mi.
100/100
3% higher than Miami
vs 97/100 in Miami
217
30% more than Miami
vs 167 nonstops in Miami
neighbors of chicago on the map of tradeoffs:
compare chicago with:
