Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Chicago vs Orlando
Chicago vs Orlando cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Chicago
πΊπΈ OrlandoOrlando is 8% cheaper than Chicago
Living on $6,989 a month in Chicago feels like about $6,637 in Orlando β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$333 vs $300
Per month
$6,989 vs $6,637
Local meal
$ 16 vs $ 15
$16 vs $15
Taxi 5 km
$ 18 vs $ 16
$18 vs $16
At a glance
FoodOrlando 7% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinkssimilar
Transportsimilar
StayOrlando 15% cheaper
FunChicago 10% cheaper
- Where Orlando is clearly cheaper: Transit (20%β), Studio rent (month) (19%β)
- Where Chicago is clearly cheaper: Tuk-tuk / moto taxi (21%β), Scooter rental (17%β)
Item by item
| Item | Chicago | Orlando | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 16$16 | $ 15$15 | Orlando β6% |
| Street food1 item | $ 7.2$7.2 | $ 6.8$6.8 | Orlando β6% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | $ 38$38 | Orlando β10% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7$7 | $ 7$7 | similar |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 18$18 | $ 18$18 | similar |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2$2 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 18$18 | $ 16$16 | Orlando β11% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | $ 14$14 | Chicago β21% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 2$2 | Orlando β20% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 57$57 | $ 69$69 | Chicago β17% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | $ 160$160 | Orlando β11% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,100$2,100 | $ 1,700$1,700 | Orlando β19% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4$4 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 24$24 | $ 25$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 34$34 | $ 39$39 | Chicago β13% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 96$96 | $ 110$110 | Chicago β13% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 86$86 | $ 100$100 | Chicago β14% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 24$24 | $ 25$25 | similar |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Chicago or Orlando?
Orlando is 8% cheaper than Chicago. Daily budget $333 vs $300; a month $6,989 vs $6,637.
How do monthly costs compare between Chicago and Orlando?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chicago is about $6,989 and Orlando about $6,637 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.