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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,525 in Cedartown, GA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,594 in Cedartown, GA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,663 in Cedartown, GA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 22% more than Cedartown, GA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Cedartown, GA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Cedartown, GA by 88%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$16.34 $16.34

27.97%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$63.7 $63.7

53.98%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$9.83 $9.83

20.65%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.09 $5.09

10.02%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.35 $2.35

30.64%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.90 $1.90

30.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$6.02 $6.02

18.60%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.04 $7.04

14.77%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.91 $0.91

15.38%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.31 $3.31

24.17%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$2.64 $2.64

112.50%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.35 $4.35

3.68%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$7.91 $7.91

80.40%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$8.98 $8.98

65.81%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$9.29 $9.29

106.57%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.28 $4.28

20.09%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.27 $1.27

39.37%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$2.70 $2.70

62.59%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$3.68 $3.68

23.91%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.01 $2.01

26.37%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.19 $2.19

25.57%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.64 $1.64

47.56%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.51 $1.51

73.51%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$5.56 $5.56

168.35%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$12.90 $12.90

14.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.63 $1.63

50.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$1.56 $1.56

139.10%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.04 $2.04

21.57%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$93.9 $93.9

-19.66%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$2.53 $2.53

25.69%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.25 $1.25

13.60%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$17.70 $17.70

40.90%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.74 $0.74

43.24%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$30.5K $30.5K

4.73%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$20.5K $20.5K

26.85%

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

$185 $185

$183 $183

0.87%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$50.2 $50.2

23.11%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$55.8 $55.8

19.95%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.60 $43.60

72.41%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$9.40 $9.40

56.49%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$977 $977

106.86%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$8,484 $8,484

364.46%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$28.84 $28.84

124.03%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$36.61 $36.61

43.27%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$45.38 $45.38

115.56%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$69.1 $69.1

113.50%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,631 $1,631

41.77%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,365 $1,365

16.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,628 $2,628

75.37%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,200 $2,200

26.33%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,419 $2,419

62.10%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,526 $2,526

3.43%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$2,581 $2,581

102.15%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.55

0.76%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Cedartown, GA: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,631 in Cedartown, 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 102% 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 $64.0 in Cedartown, GA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $297 – making Cedartown, 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 Cedartown, GA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago, IL costs about 22% more than Cedartown, GA, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,788 in Cedartown, GA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 51% 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 mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $64.0 in Cedartown, GA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Cedartown, GA, where all-in costs run around $2,525, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In Cedartown, GA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Cedartown, GA costs $2,525 versus $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Cedartown, 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.