Chicago logs 15 hot days a year to Tampa's 142 — Chicago wins by 127. Tampa also leads on sunny days by 60.

Chicago runs about $3,665/mo for a balanced lifestyle against Tampa's $3,491/mo — Tampa comes in $174 cheaper each month, roughly 5% less.

On mobility, Chicago scores 3.4 vs Tampa's 2.0 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on public transit. Tampa still holds an edge on airport accessibility.

Chicago's culture score of 4.4 sits well above Tampa's 2.4, with the biggest gap on history museums.

Tampa's nature & outdoors score of 3.8 sits well above Chicago's 3.5, with the biggest gap on sea access. Chicago still holds an edge on green areas.

Chicago's safety score is ~1.3× Tampa's — in the middle of the scale, while Tampa lands below average, with the biggest gap on road safety. Tampa still holds an edge on earthquake safety.

Chicago's career score of 4.7 sits well above Tampa's 3.7, with the biggest gap on economic scale.

Chicago's social & community score of 4.0 sits well above Tampa's 3.6, with the biggest gap on expat-first community.

On food & dining, Chicago scores 4.6 vs Tampa's 3.2 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on brunch availability.

On family, Chicago scores 4.0 vs Tampa's 3.5 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on international schools.

Chicago and Tampa score neck-and-neck on healthcare (2.8 vs 2.8, 0–5 scale).

Chicago averages 8.5 µg/m³ (good) PM2.5 annually versus Tampa's 9.5 µg/m³ (good) — Chicago breathes ~10% cleaner air (0.9 µg/m³ lower).

Who Thrives Here