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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,991 in Atlanta, GA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,251 in Atlanta, GA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,512 in Atlanta, GA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 3% more than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Atlanta, GA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Atlanta, GA by 123%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$20.90 $20.90

0.05%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$90.3 $90.3

8.65%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.03 $5.03

11.33%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.62 $2.62

17.18%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.29 $2.29

7.86%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.94 $5.94

20.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$8.05 $8.05

0.37%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.99 $0.99

6.06%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.81 $3.81

7.87%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$5.45 $5.45

2.94%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.06 $4.06

11.08%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$13.35 $13.35

6.89%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$15.87 $15.87

-6.18%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$17.05 $17.05

12.55%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$7.22 $7.22

-28.81%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.51 $1.51

17.22%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$6.82 $6.82

-35.63%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$5.87 $5.87

-22.32%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.29 $3.29

-22.80%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$3.29 $3.29

-16.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.52 $2.52

-3.97%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$3.05 $3.05

-14.10%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$7.28 $7.28

104.95%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$15.14 $15.14

-2.25%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$3.55 $3.55

-30.70%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$5.49 $5.49

-32.06%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.47 $2.47

0.40%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$93.5 $93.5

-19.36%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.41 $3.41

-6.74%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.51 $1.51

-5.96%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$23.99 $23.99

3.96%

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

$35.8K $35.8K

-10.83%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.8K $25.8K

0.94%

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

$185 $185

$196 $196

-5.85%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$56.4 $56.4

9.55%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$73.5 $73.5

-8.90%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$45.78 $45.78

64.20%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

$9.84 $9.84

32.93%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$16.14 $16.14

-8.86%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,246 $1,246

62.20%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$25.8K $25.8K

52.49%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$51.7 $51.7

24.97%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$39.72 $39.72

32.05%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$98.9 $98.9

-1.10%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$112 $112

31.94%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,790 $1,790

29.22%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,500 $1,500

5.98%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$3,094 $3,094

48.92%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,311 $2,311

20.24%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$3,821 $3,821

2.63%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,660 $2,660

-1.78%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$5,346 $5,346

-2.41%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.54

0.92%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Atlanta, GA: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,790 in Atlanta, 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 2% higher in Atlanta, GA, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $90.0 in Atlanta, GA. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $481 in Atlanta, GA – so Chicago, IL wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Atlanta, GA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Chicago, IL is pricier by about 3%, 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 $4,486 in Atlanta, GA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Interestingly, groceries are about 7% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $90.0 in Atlanta, GA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,991 in Atlanta, GA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Atlanta, 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 Atlanta, 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.