on $100k a year, leaving Chicago

change
Miami, FL cityscape

from chicago

Miami

fl · metro 6.2M

photo: Rolando Yera / unsplash

a dispatch from

miami

FL

25.77°N

80.19°W

Miami is Spanish before it's English, salsa before it's small talk, and a cortadito before it's a coffee. South Beach Art Deco glows pink at night, Wynwood is a city-sized mural, and the Cuban sandwiches in Little Havana could end fights. Summer is bath-warm ocean and ceiling fans turned up high, and October feels like everywhere else's perfect August. Bring linen.

metro6.2M

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$83

pricier each month than Chicago

A small premium for Miami. Worth it only if the rest of the city earns it back.
landable, recorded on the miami entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$2,665/mo

23% more expensive than Chicago(vs $2,170/mo)

02state income tax

0%

$412/mo less in state tax than Chicago

vs 4.95% in Chicago

03after rent

$5,668/mo

$83 less than Chicago

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$565k

55% more expensive than Chicago

vs $365k in Chicago

05metro size

6.2M

vs 9.3M in Chicago

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

272

pleasant days a year, in miami.

Chicago only manages 153 of those.

On par with Chicago for events and shows.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

77/100

10% higher than Chicago

vs 70/100 in Chicago

Closest outdoor draw: Everglades National Park Expansion, 20.4 mi.

·walk score®

97/100

3% lower than Chicago

vs 100/100 in Chicago

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

167

23% fewer than Chicago

vs 217 nonstops in Chicago

04 · see also

cities that play in miami's register:

see also

los angeles

similar overall lifestyle

turn the page

see also

washington

better park access

turn the page

see also

orlando

$728/mo cheaper

turn the page

compare miami with:

Los AngelesWashingtonOrlando