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

🙂 Solo nomad: Macon, GA is 38.3% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 34.3% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Macon, GA is 27.9% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 37% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Macon, GA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.37 $13.37
$20.82 $20.82
-35.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.5 $60.5
$100 $100
-39.73%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.9 $8.9
$11.97 $11.97
-25.65%
Cappuccino
$5.36 $5.36
$5.56 $5.56
-3.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09 $2.09
$3.11 $3.11
-32.80%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08 $2.08
$2.42 $2.42
-14.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.89 $4.89
$6.86 $6.86
-28.72%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.86 $5.86
$8.45 $8.45
-30.65%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Macon, GA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.84 $0.84
$1.04 $1.04
-19.23%
White Bread (500g)
$2.9 $2.9
$4.15 $4.15
-30.12%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.35 $2.35
$5.52 $5.52
-57.43%
Eggs
$2.74 $2.74
$4.65 $4.65
-41.08%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6 $6
$14.33 $14.33
-58.13%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.76 $8.76
$14.88 $14.88
-41.13%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.21 $15.21
$19.34 $19.34
-21.35%
Apples (1kg)
$4.47 $4.47
$5.17 $5.17
-13.54%
Banana (1kg)
$1.5 $1.5
$1.71 $1.71
-12.28%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.53 $3.53
$4.41 $4.41
-19.95%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.14 $4.14
$4.51 $4.51
-8.20%
Potato (1kg)
$2.47 $2.47
$2.53 $2.53
-2.37%
Onion (1kg)
$3.15 $3.15
$2.74 $2.74
14.96%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.7 $1.7
$2.43 $2.43
-30.04%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.8 $0.8
$2.7 $2.7
-70.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.76 $7.76
$15.19 $15.19
-48.91%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.91 $10.91
$16.42 $16.42
-33.56%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.64 $1.64
$2.35 $2.35
-30.21%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.69 $2.69
$3.7 $3.7
-27.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Macon, GA
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.53 $2.53
-20.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.1 $74.1
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.43 $3.43
$3.34 $3.34
2.69%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.56 $1.56
$1.42 $1.42
9.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$28.93 $28.93
$25.42 $25.42
13.81%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.79 $0.79
$1.08 $1.08
-26.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.9K $27.9K
$32.4K $32.4K
-13.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.4K $25.4K
$26.2K $26.2K
-3.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Macon, GA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$108 $108
$188 $188
-42.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$44.39 $44.39
$63.7 $63.7
-30.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.9 $62.9
$65.2 $65.2
-3.54%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Macon, GA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.65 $43.65
$76.7 $76.7
-43.10%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$16.04 $16.04
$14.93 $14.93
7.43%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Macon, GA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$936 $936
$2,063 $2,063
-54.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.2K $23.2K
$39.2K $39.2K
-40.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Macon, GA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.4 $58.4
$64.3 $64.3
-9.19%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.66 $34.66
$52.4 $52.4
-33.84%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$50 $50
$95.2 $95.2
-47.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95 $95
$145 $145
-34.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Macon, GA
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$930 $930
$2,378 $2,378
-60.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,006 $1,006
$1,584 $1,584
-36.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,428 $1,428
$4,763 $4,763
-70.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,817 $1,817
$2,815 $2,815
-35.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,295 $1,295
$3,588 $3,588
-63.92%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,305 $1,305
$2,490 $2,490
-47.61%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Macon, GA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,824 $2,824
$5,275 $5,275
-46.46%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.57
6.6
-0.45%

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

Last update for Macon, GA: October 28, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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