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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,184 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,188 in Statesboro, GA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,725 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,102 in Statesboro, GA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,266 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,017 in Statesboro, GA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 46% more than Statesboro, GA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Statesboro, GA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Statesboro, GA by 59%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Statesboro, GA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.26 $20.26
$20.02 $20.02
1.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.8 $88.8
$69.2 $69.2
28.39%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.16 $13.16
$11.91 $11.91
10.50%
Cappuccino
$5.77 $5.77
$3.28 $3.28
75.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.63 $2.63
$2.55 $2.55
3.14%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$2.05 $2.05
14.15%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.06 $7.06
$4.87 $4.87
44.97%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.18 $9.18
$7.13 $7.13
28.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Statesboro, GA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.30 $1.30
$0.89 $0.89
46.07%
White Bread (500g)
$4.05 $4.05
$2.85 $2.85
42.11%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.69 $5.69
$2.26 $2.26
151.77%
Eggs
$4.85 $4.85
$2.97 $2.97
63.30%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.08 $15.08
$8.79 $8.79
71.56%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.87 $14.87
$9.52 $9.52
56.20%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.28 $19.28
$16.22 $16.22
18.87%
Apples (1kg)
$5.68 $5.68
$4.54 $4.54
25.11%
Banana (1kg)
$1.93 $1.93
$1.40 $1.40
37.86%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.10 $4.10
$3.05 $3.05
34.43%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.11 $5.11
$4.36 $4.36
17.20%
Potato (1kg)
$2.92 $2.92
$2.25 $2.25
29.78%
Onion (1kg)
$2.77 $2.77
$2.70 $2.70
2.59%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.30 $2.30
$1.71 $1.71
34.50%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.04 $3.04
$2.50 $2.50
21.60%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.93 $15.93
$9.03 $9.03
76.41%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.06 $15.06
$14.95 $14.95
0.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.15 $2.15
17.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.48 $3.48
$3.20 $3.20
8.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Statesboro, GA
Difference
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
$1.46 $1.46
124.66%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.36 $1.36
$1.16 $1.16
17.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.55 $22.55
$13.87 $13.87
62.58%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22 $1.22
$0.97 $0.97
25.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.1K $36.1K
$37.2K $37.2K
-3.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.0K $26.0K
$25.3K $25.3K
2.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Statesboro, GA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$197 $197
-4.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$69.0 $69.0
$41.83 $41.83
64.95%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.6 $63.6
$67.6 $67.6
-6.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Statesboro, GA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$63.4 $63.4
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.11 $27.11
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$17.90 $17.90
$15.09 $15.09
18.62%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Statesboro, GA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,526 $1,526
$1,289 $1,289
18.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.9K $31.9K
$10.2K $10.2K
213.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Statesboro, GA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.1 $62.1
$62.8 $62.8
-1.16%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.4 $56.4
$36.90 $36.90
52.79%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$101 $101
$109 $109
-7.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$156 $156
$64.2 $64.2
143.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Statesboro, GA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,342 $2,342
$901 $901
159.97%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,698 $1,698
$1,104 $1,104
53.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,576 $4,576
$1,808 $1,808
153.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,806 $2,806
$1,668 $1,668
68.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,130 $4,130
$1,917 $1,917
115.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,740 $2,740
$1,847 $1,847
48.36%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Statesboro, GA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,891 $4,891
$3,240 $3,240
50.94%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.38
6.13
4.08%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 6, 2026

Last update for Statesboro, GA: September 5, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,342 in Chicago, IL versus $901 in Statesboro, 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 51% 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 $89.0 in Chicago, IL versus $69.0 in Statesboro, GA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $342 – making Statesboro, 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 Statesboro, GA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Chicago, IL and in Statesboro, GA compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,184 in Chicago, IL, $2,188 in Statesboro, GA – roughly 46% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Chicago, IL compared to Statesboro, GA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,776 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,282 in Statesboro, GA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Chicago, IL and Statesboro, GA?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Statesboro, GA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Chicago, IL and $69.0 in Statesboro, GA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 36% 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.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Statesboro, GA, where all-in costs run around $2,188, than in Chicago, IL at $3,184. In Statesboro, GA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Chicago, IL and Statesboro, GA?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,188 in Statesboro, GA to $3,184 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Chicago, IL and Statesboro, GA?
If budget matters most, go with Statesboro, 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.

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