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Chicago vs Miami: prices, pay and housing
| Chicago, IL | Miami, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.6 | 114.2 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $73,380 | $67,190 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $54,720 | $48,640 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $70,834 | $58,859 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,962 | $56,098 |
| Typical home value | $353,998 | $475,622 |
| Median household income | $88,850 | $73,481 |
| Home price / household income | 4.0 | 6.5 |
| Metro population | 9,359,555 | 6,138,876 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Chicago to Miami
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Chicago to Miami, multiply your salary by 1.102.
| Salary in Chicago | Same buying power in Miami |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Chicago | $55,097 in Miami |
| $75,000 in Chicago | $82,645 in Miami |
| $100,000 in Chicago | $110,194 in Miami |
| $150,000 in Chicago | $165,290 in Miami |
| $200,000 in Chicago | $220,387 in Miami |
Salaries for common jobs in Chicago and Miami
| Job | Chicago | Miami | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Salespersons | $39,370 | $36,820 | $38,004 / $32,254 |
| General and Operations Managers | $143,740 | $131,240 | $138,752 / $114,966 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $49,800 | $43,680 | $48,072 / $38,264 |
| Registered Nurses | $97,930 | $94,990 | $94,532 / $83,211 |
| Office Clerks, General | $49,620 | $46,750 | $47,898 / $40,953 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,650 | $41,120 | $34,413 / $36,021 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,690 | $31,770 | $33,486 / $27,831 |
| Cashiers | $35,760 | $32,520 | $34,519 / $28,488 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,140 | $40,750 | $41,643 / $35,697 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,700 | $38,240 | $39,288 / $33,498 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $41,400 | $34,940 | $39,963 / $30,608 |
| Security Guards | $44,360 | $37,900 | $42,821 / $33,200 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $40,450 | $38,300 | $39,046 / $33,551 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $54,630 | $48,550 | $52,734 / $42,530 |
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $58,910 | $49,670 | $56,866 / $43,511 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Chicago vs Miami: questions
Is Chicago more expensive than Miami?
No. BEA prices are 103.6 in Chicago, IL and 114.2 in Miami, FL (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Miami to match $100,000 in Chicago?
About $110,194, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Chicago or Miami?
Chicago, IL: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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