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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,111 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,129 in Winder, GA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,680 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,226 in Winder, GA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,249 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,323 in Winder, GA, rent included.

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

Both Chicago, IL and Winder, GA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Winder, GA by 58%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$13.57 $13.57

50.26%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$55.7 $55.7

76.31%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

$10.62 $10.62

13.65%

Cappuccino

$5.73 $5.73

$5.10 $5.10

12.35%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.44 $2.44

21.72%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.49 $1.49

65.77%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.99 $6.99

$6.47 $6.47

8.04%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$7.29 $7.29

12.62%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.75 $0.75

40.00%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$2.46 $2.46

65.85%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$2.50 $2.50

120.00%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$4.27 $4.27

8.67%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$12.04 $12.04

19.60%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.20 $15.20

$9.72 $9.72

56.38%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$12.70 $12.70

51.81%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$2.61 $2.61

96.93%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.19 $1.19

47.90%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$4.24 $4.24

2.36%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$3.37 $3.37

29.38%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$2.48 $2.48

-1.61%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$1.78 $1.78

56.74%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.13 $1.13

123.01%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$1.03 $1.03

158.25%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.90 $14.90

$7.96 $7.96

87.19%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$3.04 $3.04

392.43%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.98 $1.98

23.74%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$3.45 $3.45

2.61%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.96 $1.96

23.98%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$1.76 $1.76

88.64%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.63 $1.63

-15.34%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.11 $25.11

$29.62 $29.62

-15.23%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.77 $0.77

41.56%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$18.7K $18.7K

70.62%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$24.6K $24.6K

9.23%

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

$187 $187

$141 $141

32.94%

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

$63.5 $63.5

$25.13 $25.13

152.49%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$44.77 $44.77

46.28%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.7 $75.7

$42.68 $42.68

77.34%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$12.43 $12.43

19.07%

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

$2,025 $2,025

$1,025 $1,025

97.46%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.0K $39.0K

$25.5K $25.5K

52.97%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$25.04 $25.04

156.19%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$24.91 $24.91

107.67%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$98.8 $98.8

-3.19%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$103 $103

40.18%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,326 $2,326

$1,508 $1,508

54.25%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$1,209 $1,209

33.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,703 $4,703

$2,678 $2,678

75.62%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,721 $2,721

$2,216 $2,216

22.77%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

$2,808 $2,808

36.37%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

$2,052 $2,052

23.46%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,100 $5,100

$4,118 $4,118

23.83%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.45

2.33%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 7, 2026

Last update for Winder, GA: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,326 in Chicago, IL versus $1,508 in Winder, 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 24% 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 $56.0 in Winder, GA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $287 – making Winder, 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 Winder, GA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,111 in Chicago, IL, $2,129 in Winder, GA – roughly 46% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,666 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,194 in Winder, GA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Winder, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $56.0 in Winder, GA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 56% 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 $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Winder, GA, where all-in costs run around $2,129, than in Chicago, IL at $3,111. In Winder, 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 $2,129 in Winder, GA to $3,111 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Winder, 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.