Chicago: World city at half the coastal price; taxes and winter. Miami: Global-city energy, zero income tax, climate math unresolved.
Dimension
Chicago
Miami
Median home price
$360K
$477K
Effective property tax
2.08%
0.86%
Tax friendliness
5/10
10/10
Winter mildness
3/10
10/10
Summer comfort
8/10
1/10
Walkability
7/10
7/10
Outdoor access
5/10
6/10
Culture & food
10/10
9/10
Healthcare
10/10
10/10
Airport connectivity
10/10
9/10
Schools
6/10
6/10
Safety
4/10
5/10
Hazard safety (10 = lowest risk)
7/10
9/10
Growth trajectory
3/10
9/10
Pick Chicago if your priorities lean: Median home price, Summer comfort, Culture & food, Airport connectivity. Pick Miami if they lean: Effective property tax, Tax friendliness, Winter mildness, Outdoor access. There is no universal winner — only a winner for your weights.