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 $3,084 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,423 in Albany, GA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,637 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,417 in Albany, GA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,191 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,411 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 131%, Albany, GA by 81%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.81 $20.81

$19.64 $19.64

5.96%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.6 $98.6

$60.8 $60.8

62.11%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.90 $11.90

$11.99 $11.99

-0.75%

Cappuccino

$5.84 $5.84

$4.80 $4.80

21.67%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.63 $2.63

16.73%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.38 $2.38

-1.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$4.85 $4.85

41.65%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.07 $8.07

$5.12 $5.12

57.62%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.06 $1.06

-0.94%

White Bread (500g)

$3.98 $3.98

$1.52 $1.52

161.84%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.60 $5.60

$1.98 $1.98

182.83%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$4.34 $4.34

4.84%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.20 $14.20

$7.45 $7.45

90.60%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.90 $14.90

$9.30 $9.30

60.22%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.08 $19.08

$10.60 $10.60

80.00%

Apples (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$4.36 $4.36

21.79%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.46 $1.46

17.12%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$3.25 $3.25

30.46%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$4.00 $4.00

9.25%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.78 $2.78

-7.91%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$3.30 $3.30

-15.15%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$3.06 $3.06

-19.28%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.58 $2.58

4.65%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.95 $14.95

$8.14 $8.14

83.66%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$15.01 $15.01

-1.87%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.96 $1.96

20.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$3.33 $3.33

7.21%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.44 $2.44

$1.65 $1.65

47.88%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.2 $75.2

$44.23 $44.23

70.04%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.35 $3.35

$4.09 $4.09

-18.09%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$2.43 $2.43

-43.62%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.29 $25.29

$25.32 $25.32

-0.12%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.91 $0.91

19.78%

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

$32.3K $32.3K

$26.1K $26.1K

23.46%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.0K $25.0K

5.85%

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

$188 $188

$186 $186

1.25%

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

$63.3 $63.3

$43.51 $43.51

45.39%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$59.4 $59.4

11.47%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.6 $75.6

$15.26 $15.26

395.15%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.20 $13.20

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$11.18 $11.18

32.38%

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

$2,097 $2,097

$735 $735

185.34%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$11.0K $11.0K

249.64%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.9 $64.9

$55.8 $55.8

16.17%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$46.43 $46.43

11.11%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.3 $96.3

$86.3 $86.3

11.50%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$146 $146

$85.0 $85.0

72.07%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,332 $2,332

$1,318 $1,318

76.96%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,579 $1,579

$1,287 $1,287

22.63%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,775 $4,775

$2,539 $2,539

88.03%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,725 $2,725

$1,968 $1,968

38.49%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,023 $4,023

$1,211 $1,211

232.14%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,684 $2,684

$1,251 $1,251

114.61%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,981 $4,981

$3,060 $3,060

62.77%

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: July 20, 2026

Last update for Albany, GA: July 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,332 in Chicago, IL versus $1,318 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 63% 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $61.0 in Albany, GA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $445 vs $320 – 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 $4,626 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,635 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 $2,097 per month in Chicago, IL and $735 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 $2,423, than in Chicago, IL at $3,084. 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.