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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,105 per month in Suwanee, GA vs $3,106 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,281 per month in Suwanee, GA vs $4,599 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,457 per month in Suwanee, GA vs $6,092 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Suwanee, GA and Chicago, IL have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Suwanee, GA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Suwanee, GA by 126%, Chicago, IL by 126%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.78 $19.78

$19.86 $19.86

-0.40%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.6 $78.6

$88.3 $88.3

-11.05%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.03 $10.03

$13.23 $13.23

-24.19%

Cappuccino

$5.34 $5.34

$5.86 $5.86

-8.87%

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

$2.63 $2.63

$2.61 $2.61

0.77%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$2.32 $2.32

-8.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.62 $5.62

$7.03 $7.03

-20.06%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.61 $6.61

$9.25 $9.25

-28.54%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.93 $0.93

$1.34 $1.34

-30.60%

White Bread (500g)

$3.01 $3.01

$4.19 $4.19

-28.16%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.64 $4.64

$5.50 $5.50

-15.64%

Eggs

$4.04 $4.04

$4.71 $4.71

-14.23%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.62 $9.62

$14.72 $14.72

-34.65%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.14 $9.14

$14.53 $14.53

-37.10%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.31 $16.31

$19.69 $19.69

-17.17%

Apples (1kg)

$4.43 $4.43

$5.64 $5.64

-21.45%

Banana (1kg)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.97 $1.97

-30.96%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.18 $4.18

$4.04 $4.04

3.47%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.07 $4.07

$5.07 $5.07

-19.72%

Potato (1kg)

$3.70 $3.70

$2.94 $2.94

25.85%

Onion (1kg)

$3.73 $3.73

$2.92 $2.92

27.74%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.37 $2.37

$2.28 $2.28

3.95%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.59 $2.59

$3.12 $3.12

-16.99%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.03 $9.03

$16.19 $16.19

-44.22%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.94 $14.94

$15.17 $15.17

-1.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 $1.71

$2.67 $2.67

-35.96%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.58 $3.58

$3.48 $3.48

2.87%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.95 $2.95

$3.16 $3.16

-6.65%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.55 $1.55

$1.37 $1.37

13.14%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.46 $30.46

$22.66 $22.66

34.42%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.82 $0.82

$1.20 $1.20

-31.67%

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

$32.2K $32.2K

$37.0K $37.0K

-12.88%

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

$25.3K $25.3K

$26.0K $26.0K

-2.73%

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

$260 $260

$190 $190

37.30%

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

$67.2 $67.2

$68.5 $68.5

-1.94%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$89.9 $89.9

$61.1 $61.1

47.27%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.25 $49.25

$63.8 $63.8

-22.78%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.01 $15.01

$27.80 $27.80

-46.01%

Cinema Ticket

$17.27 $17.27

$18.28 $18.28

-5.53%

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

$1,367 $1,367

$1,525 $1,525

-10.32%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.7K $15.7K

$32.0K $32.0K

-50.99%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.2 $59.2

$64.0 $64.0

-7.61%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.46 $45.46

$54.4 $54.4

-16.43%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 $111

$101 $101

9.92%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$138 $138

$153 $153

-9.90%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,932 $1,932

$2,421 $2,421

-20.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,679 $1,679

$1,690 $1,690

-0.63%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,609 $2,609

$4,584 $4,584

-43.09%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,471 $2,471

$2,782 $2,782

-11.19%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,777 $4,777

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.18

6.38

-3.13%

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

Last update for Suwanee, GA: August 30, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,932 in Suwanee, GA versus $2,421 in Chicago, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $79.0 in Suwanee, GA versus $88.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $370 vs $465 – making Suwanee, 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

Suwanee, GA vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,658 per month in Suwanee, GA and $4,659 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Suwanee, GA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $1,367 per month in Suwanee, GA and $1,525 in Chicago, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 26% 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.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,105 in Suwanee, GA and $3,106 in Chicago, IL. 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 $3,105 in Suwanee, GA to $3,106 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Suwanee, 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.