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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,543 in Kennesaw, GA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,738 in Kennesaw, GA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,933 in Kennesaw, GA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 21% more than Kennesaw, GA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Kennesaw, GA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Kennesaw, GA by 90%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$16.33 $16.33

28.05%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$66.0 $66.0

48.66%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$8.56 $8.56

38.55%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.30 $5.30

5.66%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.48 $2.48

23.79%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.21 $1.21

104.13%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.38 $5.38

32.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$6.42 $6.42

25.86%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.95 $0.95

10.53%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.64 $3.64

12.91%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$1.98 $1.98

183.33%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$3.12 $3.12

44.55%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$12.88 $12.88

10.79%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$10.38 $10.38

43.45%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$15.67 $15.67

22.46%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$7.91 $7.91

-35.02%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.08 $2.08

-14.90%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$7.19 $7.19

-38.94%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$5.79 $5.79

-21.24%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$4.93 $4.93

-48.48%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$3.82 $3.82

-28.01%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.41 $2.41

0.41%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.28 $2.28

14.91%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$6.94 $6.94

114.99%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$14.71 $14.71

0.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.68 $1.68

46.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$2.97 $2.97

25.59%

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

$25.32 $25.32

197.91%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.41 $3.41

-6.74%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.72 $1.72

-17.44%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$17.86 $17.86

39.64%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.76 $0.76

39.47%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$31.0K $31.0K

3.02%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$21.4K $21.4K

21.74%

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

$185 $185

$156 $156

18.25%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$47.43 $47.43

30.17%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$53.5 $53.5

25.04%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.21 $43.21

73.96%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$13.19 $13.19

11.52%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,703 $1,703

18.60%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$9,921 $9,921

297.21%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$45.88 $45.88

40.82%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$45.64 $45.64

14.92%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$96.2 $96.2

1.65%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$139 $139

6.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,675 $1,675

38.05%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,380 $1,380

15.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,931 $2,931

57.25%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,233 $2,233

24.41%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$5,784 $5,784

-9.80%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.59

0.15%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Kennesaw, GA: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,675 in Kennesaw, 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 11% higher in Kennesaw, 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 $66.0 in Kennesaw, GA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $417 – making Kennesaw, 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 Kennesaw, GA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,543 in Kennesaw, GA – roughly 21% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,814 in Kennesaw, GA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 7% 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 $66.0 in Kennesaw, GA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,543 in Kennesaw, GA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,543 in Kennesaw, GA to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Kennesaw, 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.