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 $3,184 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,108 in Kennesaw, GA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,725 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,849 in Kennesaw, GA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,266 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,590 in Kennesaw, GA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 187% more than Kennesaw, GA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Chicago, IL sits 131% above the global median, while Kennesaw, GA is 20% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.26 $20.26

$16.45 $16.45

23.16%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.8 $88.8

$64.6 $64.6

37.41%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.16 $13.16

$8.68 $8.68

51.61%

Cappuccino

$5.77 $5.77

$5.43 $5.43

6.26%

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

$2.63 $2.63

$2.57 $2.57

2.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 $2.34

$1.20 $1.20

95.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.06 $7.06

$5.64 $5.64

25.18%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.18 $9.18

$6.61 $6.61

38.88%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$0.96 $0.96

35.42%

White Bread (500g)

$4.05 $4.05

$3.83 $3.83

5.74%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.69 $5.69

$1.90 $1.90

199.47%

Eggs

$4.85 $4.85

$4.04 $4.04

20.05%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$15.26 $15.26

-1.18%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.87 $14.87

$10.13 $10.13

46.79%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$15.41 $15.41

25.11%

Apples (1kg)

$5.68 $5.68

$6.44 $6.44

-11.80%

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.56 $1.56

23.72%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.10 $4.10

$7.37 $7.37

-44.37%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.11 $5.11

$5.74 $5.74

-10.98%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$4.73 $4.73

-38.27%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$4.16 $4.16

-33.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.30 $2.30

$2.75 $2.75

-16.36%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.04 $3.04

$1.98 $1.98

53.54%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.93 $15.93

$8.55 $8.55

86.32%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.06 $15.06

$15.17 $15.17

-0.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.60 $1.60

58.12%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$1.78 $1.78

95.51%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.53 $2.53

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.8 $74.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.28 $3.28

$3.52 $3.52

-6.82%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.49 $1.49

-8.72%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.55 $22.55

$18.25 $18.25

23.56%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$0.73 $0.73

67.12%

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

$36.1K $36.1K

$35.3K $35.3K

2.31%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.5K $25.5K

1.72%

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

$188 $188

$144 $144

30.58%

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

$69.0 $69.0

$57.6 $57.6

19.75%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.6 $63.6

$52.9 $52.9

20.25%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.4 $63.4

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.11 $27.11

Cinema Ticket

$17.90 $17.90

$15.28 $15.28

17.15%

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

$1,526 $1,526

$1,731 $1,731

-11.83%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

$10.1K $10.1K

216.62%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.1 $62.1

$51.8 $51.8

19.78%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.4 $56.4

$35.23 $35.23

60.03%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$86.9 $86.9

16.12%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$156 $156

$131 $131

19.02%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,342 $2,342

$1,578 $1,578

48.42%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,698 $1,698

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,576 $4,576

$2,080 $2,080

120.01%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,806 $2,806

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,130 $4,130

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,740 $2,740

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,891 $4,891

$8,014 $8,014

-38.97%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.16

3.57%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 6, 2026

Last update for Kennesaw, GA: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,342 in Chicago, IL versus $1,578 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 64% 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 $89.0 in Chicago, IL versus $65.0 in Kennesaw, GA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $413 – 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: $3,184 in Chicago, IL, $1,108 in Kennesaw, GA – roughly 187% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,776 per month in Chicago, IL and $1,662 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Chicago, IL and $65.0 in Kennesaw, GA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 12% 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 $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Kennesaw, GA, where all-in costs run around $1,108, than in Chicago, IL at $3,184. In Kennesaw, GA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,108 in Kennesaw, GA to $3,184 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.