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Chicago vs Tampa: prices, pay and housing
| Chicago, IL | Tampa, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.6 | 100.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $73,380 | $66,490 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $54,720 | $48,940 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $70,834 | $65,903 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,962 | $55,605 |
| Typical home value | $353,998 | $360,738 |
| Median household income | $88,850 | $71,254 |
| Home price / household income | 4.0 | 5.1 |
| Metro population | 9,359,555 | 3,240,469 |
*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 Tampa
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Chicago to Tampa, multiply your salary by 0.974.
| Salary in Chicago | Same buying power in Tampa |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Chicago | $48,694 in Tampa |
| $75,000 in Chicago | $73,042 in Tampa |
| $100,000 in Chicago | $97,389 in Tampa |
| $150,000 in Chicago | $146,083 in Tampa |
| $200,000 in Chicago | $194,778 in Tampa |
Salaries for common jobs in Chicago and Tampa
| Job | Chicago | Tampa | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Salespersons | $39,370 | $35,830 | $38,004 / $35,514 |
| Registered Nurses | $97,930 | $92,690 | $94,532 / $91,872 |
| General and Operations Managers | $143,740 | $130,340 | $138,752 / $129,190 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $49,800 | $44,410 | $48,072 / $44,018 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,690 | $31,210 | $33,486 / $30,935 |
| Cashiers | $35,760 | $31,580 | $34,519 / $31,301 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,650 | $44,090 | $34,413 / $43,701 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,700 | $37,540 | $39,288 / $37,209 |
| Office Clerks, General | $49,620 | $47,410 | $47,898 / $46,992 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,140 | $39,390 | $41,643 / $39,043 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $40,450 | $37,560 | $39,046 / $37,229 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $41,400 | $35,010 | $39,963 / $34,701 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $48,370 | $43,890 | $46,691 / $43,503 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $83,770 | $71,750 | $80,863 / $71,117 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $65,170 | $54,470 | $62,908 / $53,989 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Chicago vs Tampa: questions
Is Chicago more expensive than Tampa?
Yes. BEA prices are 103.6 in Chicago, IL and 100.9 in Tampa, FL (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Tampa to match $100,000 in Chicago?
About $97,389, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Chicago or Tampa?
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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