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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,868 in Marietta, GA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,593 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,445 in Marietta, GA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,177 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,021 in Marietta, GA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 5% more than Marietta, GA, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Chicago, IL and Marietta, GA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 125%, Marietta, GA by 114%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.35 $20.35

$20.75 $20.75

-1.93%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$91.5 $91.5

11.07%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.98 $11.98

$11.77 $11.77

1.78%

Cappuccino

$5.70 $5.70

$5.17 $5.17

10.25%

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

$3.00 $3.00

$2.67 $2.67

12.36%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.24 $2.24

9.82%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$6.01 $6.01

14.31%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.09 $8.09

$7.80 $7.80

3.72%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$1.02 $1.02

0.98%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$3.65 $3.65

8.22%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$4.61 $4.61

17.57%

Eggs

$4.50 $4.50

$3.55 $3.55

26.76%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$13.57 $13.57

7.07%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$15.91 $15.91

-6.41%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.98 $18.98

$19.26 $19.26

-1.45%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$7.34 $7.34

-26.57%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.01 $2.01

-11.94%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$6.68 $6.68

-34.88%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$6.18 $6.18

-26.70%

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$3.44 $3.44

-26.45%

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$3.29 $3.29

-14.59%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$2.41 $2.41

4.15%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.78 $2.78

-3.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.88 $14.88

$7.53 $7.53

97.61%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.22 $15.22

$14.95 $14.95

1.81%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.73 $1.73

42.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 $3.53

$3.41 $3.41

3.52%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.45 $2.45

4.49%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.3 $74.3

$86.4 $86.4

-14.04%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 $3.19

$3.54 $3.54

-9.89%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.52 $1.52

-7.24%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.49 $25.49

$17.96 $17.96

41.93%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.85 $0.85

22.35%

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

$32.2K $32.2K

$35.4K $35.4K

-9.10%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$25.6K $25.6K

4.58%

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

$184 $184

$195 $195

-5.78%

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

$63.1 $63.1

$57.4 $57.4

9.89%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.4 $66.4

$71.2 $71.2

-6.75%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.9 $75.9

$117 $117

-35.28%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

$39.48 $39.48

-66.92%

Cinema Ticket

$15.25 $15.25

$13.37 $13.37

14.06%

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

$2,090 $2,090

$1,251 $1,251

67.05%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.2K $39.2K

$9,940 $9,940

294.85%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$51.9 $51.9

23.63%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.0 $51.0

$44.93 $44.93

13.51%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.2 $97.2

$94.6 $94.6

2.71%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 $149

$114 $114

30.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,341 $2,341

$1,329 $1,329

76.16%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 $1,572

$1,342 $1,342

17.19%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,741 $4,741

$2,819 $2,819

68.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,819 $2,819

$2,574 $2,574

9.51%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,900 $3,900

$2,917 $2,917

33.70%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,638 $2,638

$1,995 $1,995

32.24%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,769 $4,769

$3,956 $3,956

20.55%

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: April 25, 2026

Last update for Marietta, GA: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $1,329 in Marietta, 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 21% 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $92.0 in Marietta, GA. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $469 in Marietta, 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 Marietta, GA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $2,868 in Marietta, GA – roughly 5% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,302 in Marietta, GA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Marietta, 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 5% 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 $102 in Chicago, IL and $92.0 in Marietta, 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 $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $2,868 in Marietta, 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 $2,868 in Marietta, GA to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Marietta, 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.