CostIndexUSA

Chicago, IL vs Ocala, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Chicago
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableFL
Ocala
95.2
overall index
$1,600/mo rent

Ocala is moderately cheaper than Chicago — 8.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chicago, you would need $73,500 in Ocala. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing23.0%
Chicago
112
Ocala
86.2
🛒 Groceries10.3%
Chicago
107.3
Ocala
96.2
🚗 Transportation1.6%
Chicago
105.5
Ocala
103.8
🏥 Healthcare1.7%
Chicago
95.5
Ocala
93.9
Utilities+4.2%
Chicago
83.6
Ocala
87.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Chicago to see what you'd need to earn in Ocala to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Ocala, FL
$73,500
$6,500 less needed in Ocala

Formula: salary × (95.2 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.9189. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Ocala, FL

Median Home Price
$271,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,600
Housing Index
86.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.1×

Chicago has 23.0% lower housing costs compared to Ocala.

Income & Job Market

Chicago, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
2,693,976
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

Ocala, FL

Median Household Income
$58,600
Per Capita Income
$33,400
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
63,591
Top Industries
HealthcareEquestrianManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Chicago, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Ocala, FL
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.