Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Chicago?

Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,440 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Chicago?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $50,000 in Chicago.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Chicago?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Chicago under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Chicago Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,740/mo est.

Chicago

Illinois

$1,440/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,740 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,440 in Chicago, IL. Overall, Chicago, IL is roughly 17% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $75,134 in Chicago, IL — about 8% higher in Atlanta, GA. 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.

Atlanta, GA

Chicago, IL

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,186

+29% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,258

+20% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,406

+17% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,554

+0% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$315,200

+25% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$75,134

+8% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$54,720

+7% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

35.7 yr

+1.7 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

46.3%

45.5%

+0.8 pp in Atlanta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

43.3%

+15.1 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

33.5 min

+6.7 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.5

539.8

+11% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

3,489.9

+2% in Atlanta, GA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

62.6°F

52.7°F

+9.9°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

38.0 in

+11.8 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.30/gal

$4.82/gal

+12% in Chicago, IL

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Chicago.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

about equal

Adult base one-way fare — MARTA vs CTA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.0

18.9

+26% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.41

$12.10

+34% in Atlanta, GA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.16

$4.14

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Bread (lb)

$1.73

$1.79

+4% in Chicago, IL

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

$6.97

+6% in Chicago, IL

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.15

+13% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

$0.63

+3% in Chicago, IL

Average prices — South vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / IL)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

4.95%

+0.2 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Chicago — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Chicago?: Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,440 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Chicago?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $50,000 in Chicago.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Chicago?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Chicago under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).