⚖️ City Comparison

Chicago vs Deltona

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data

Chicago

Illinois
107
Above Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$62,097
Median Income

Deltona

Florida
105
Average
$301,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$57,900
Median Income

💡 The Verdict

2% Cheaper

Deltona is 2% cheaper than Chicago overall. A $75,000 salary in Chicago is equivalent to $73,598 in Deltona.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values for Chicago (left) vs Deltona (right). National average = 100.

Housing
112
Housing
103
Groceries
104
Groceries
102
Utilities
100
Utilities
111
Transportation
116
Transportation
106
Healthcare
101
Healthcare
104

Detailed Price Comparison

Estimated item-level prices in Chicago versus Deltona. Differences shown from Chicago perspective.

ItemChicagoDeltonaDifference
1-Bed Rent$1,230/mo$1,110/mo+$120.00
2-Bed Rent$1,700/mo$1,450/mo+$250.00
3-Bed Rent$2,220/mo$1,950/mo+$270.00
Bread (loaf)$2.71$2.93$-0.22
Milk (gallon)$4.17$3.81+$0.36
Eggs (dozen)$3.55$3.66$-0.11
Coffee (latte)$6.11$5.75+$0.36
Gas (gallon)$3.57$3.26+$0.31
Restaurant Meal$15.53$16.20$-0.67

💰 Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Chicago has the same purchasing power as $73,598 in Deltona.

Conversely, $75,000 in Deltona equals $76,429 in Chicago.

💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison

Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.

$53,962
Chicago (Illinois)
$57,638
Deltona (Florida)

The $3676 difference is driven by Illinois having a higher state income tax rate. Illinois details → · Florida details →

⚙️ Customize Your Comparison

Adjust category weights to match your spending priorities.

35%
20%
15%
15%
15%
Your Weighted Score
107 vs 105

Reading These Numbers: Chicago (107) vs Deltona (105)

Chicago at 107 is 7% above the US average, while Deltona at 105 is 5% above average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.

In Chicago, the composite index of 107 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 112, followed by groceries (104), utilities (100), transportation (116), and healthcare (101). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.

For renters: With median rents of $1,700/mo in Chicago and $1,450/mo in Deltona, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,000.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $15,000.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $9,000.0 difference in median home prices between Chicago and Deltona translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

🔗 Related Tools

📚 Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving Planners →Finance Books →Budget Planners →

Amazon affiliate links

Making Your Decision: Chicago vs Deltona

Choosing between Chicago and Deltona involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.

Long-term affordability in Chicago versus Deltona depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.