Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Chicago?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $50,000 in Chicago.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Chicago?

Augusta 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).

Augusta vs Chicago Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,120 in Augusta, GA versus $1,490 in Chicago, IL. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $75,134 in Chicago, IL — about 29% higher in Chicago, IL. 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.

Augusta, GA

Chicago, IL

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,186

+51% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,258

+37% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,406

+36% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,554

+26% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$315,200

+93% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$75,134

+41% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$54,720

+19% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

35.7 yr

+0.8 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

50.9%

45.5%

+5.4 pp in Augusta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

43.3%

+19.1 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

20.6 min

33.5 min

+12.9 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

539.8

+1% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

3,489.9

+4% in Augusta, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.2°F

52.7°F

+12.5°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

38.0 in

+8.6 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.29/gal

+11% in Chicago, IL

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Chicago.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.50

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

23.9

+51% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$15.39

+54% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Chicago, IL

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Augusta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Chicago, IL

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

Augusta vs Chicago — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Chicago?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Chicago?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $50,000 in Chicago.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Chicago?: Augusta 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).