Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Columbus?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $35,000 in Columbus.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Columbus?

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

Chicago vs Columbus Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/mo est.

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,490 in Chicago, IL versus $1,080 in Columbus, GA. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $56,622 in Columbus, GA — about 25% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Columbus, GA

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$826

+30% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$875

+30% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$991

+30% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,221

+21% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$182,300

+42% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$56,622

+25% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$43,540

+20% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

35.1 yr

+0.6 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

45.5%

50.2%

+4.7 pp in Columbus, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

29.7%

+13.6 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

20.2 min

+13.3 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

612.3

+13% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

3,489.9

2,273.4

+35% in Chicago, IL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.7°F

65.7°F

+13.0°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

46.8 in

+8.8 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.86/gal

+10% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

15.8

+34% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$33.28

+116% in Columbus, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Chicago, IL

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Columbus, GA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Chicago, IL

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / GA)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

5.19%

+0.2 pp in GA

Chicago vs Columbus — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Columbus?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Columbus?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $35,000 in Columbus.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Columbus?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Columbus under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).