Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Albany, GA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Albany, GA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,427 in Albany, GA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,473 in Albany, GA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,519 in Albany, GA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 27% more than Albany, GA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Albany, GA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Albany, GA by 81%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$20.06 $20.06

4.24%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$59.0 $59.0

66.43%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$11.76 $11.76

0.85%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.82 $4.82

16.18%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.07 $3.07

$2.60 $2.60

18.08%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.26 $2.26

9.29%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$4.87 $4.87

46.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$5.26 $5.26

53.61%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.10 $1.10

-4.55%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$1.54 $1.54

166.88%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$2.09 $2.09

168.42%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.15 $4.15

8.67%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$7.36 $7.36

93.89%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$9.20 $9.20

61.85%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$10.42 $10.42

84.17%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.56 $4.56

12.72%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.47 $1.47

20.41%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.29 $3.29

33.43%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.16 $4.16

9.62%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.82 $2.82

-9.93%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$3.40 $3.40

-19.12%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.92 $2.92

-17.12%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.60 $2.60

0.77%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$7.96 $7.96

87.44%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$14.92 $14.92

-0.80%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.99 $1.99

23.62%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.44 $3.44

8.43%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.66 $1.66

49.40%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$45.03 $45.03

67.51%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.95 $3.95

-19.49%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$2.46 $2.46

-42.28%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$24.89 $24.89

0.20%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.87 $0.87

21.84%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$31.9K $31.9K

$26.5K $26.5K

20.53%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.4K $25.4K

2.55%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$185 $185

$184 $184

0.41%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$43.10 $43.10

43.25%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$59.8 $59.8

11.93%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$14.96 $14.96

402.47%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$11.17 $11.17

31.69%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,020 $2,020

$738 $738

173.72%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$11.2K $11.2K

251.16%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$56.5 $56.5

14.29%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$45.84 $45.84

14.42%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$86.9 $86.9

12.54%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$87.3 $87.3

68.98%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,317 $1,317

75.54%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,283 $1,283

23.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,456 $2,456

87.64%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,031 $2,031

36.79%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$1,232 $1,232

218.19%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$1,244 $1,244

110.05%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$2,965 $2,965

75.96%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.53

1.07%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Albany, GA: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,317 in Albany, GA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 76% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $59.0 in Albany, GA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $321 – making Albany, GA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Chicago, IL vs Albany, GA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Chicago, IL is pricier by about 27%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,640 in Albany, GA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Albany, GA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $2,020 per month in Chicago, IL and $738 in Albany, GA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 39% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Albany, GA, where all-in costs run around $2,427, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In Albany, GA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Albany, GA – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Albany, GA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.