Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $916 in Georgia versus $1,258 in Illinois. Overall, Georgia runs roughly 27% cheaper on rent than Illinois, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $56,622 in Georgia and $90,109 in Illinois — about 37% higher in Illinois. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
6.25%
+2.3 pp in Illinois
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
4.95%
+0.2 pp in Georgia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$916
$1,258
+37% in Illinois
Median Home Value
$182,300
$315,200
+73% in Illinois
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$56,622
$90,109
+59% in Illinois
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
65.2°F
49.9°F
+15.3°F in Georgia
Georgia vs Illinois — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Georgia or Illinois?
- Georgia is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $916 runs about 27% below Illinois's $1,258, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Georgia than in Illinois?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Georgia versus $50,000 in Illinois.
- Which has lower taxes, Georgia or Illinois?
- Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Georgia/Illinois — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.