2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Palm Bay, FL vs Chicago, IL

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or is it cheaper to live in Palm Bay?
- Chicago is 10.6% more expensive than Palm Bay.

Which city has more affordable housing, Chicago or Palm Bay?
- Chicago housing costs are 28.8% more expensive than Palm Bay housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Palm Bay or is Health Care more affordable in Chicago.
- Health related expenses are 11.9% less in Chicago.
 Palm Bay, FLChicago, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.7100
 Food & Groceries99.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.0100
 Housing77.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$284,100$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock138.5100
 Miscellaneous105.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Palm Bay    27 Reviews

I moved to Palm Bay in 2020 and the cost of living has skyrocketed! A two bedroom apartment was around $900/month in 2020. Now it's $1600 and up. Mostly up. A three  More

   |    Reply

My family of 4 have lived here in NW Palm Bay for over 10 years. My wife and my son from another marriage lived here for over 7 before that. I myself have lived here for  More

   |    Reply

I lived in Palm Bay for 12 years. It's a very unfriendly and crowded place to live. It's well into the 90's from late April till right around the 10th of November. The  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Palm Bay

Reviews for Chicago    270 Reviews

I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

   |    Reply

Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

   |    Reply

I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Chicago


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.