Chicago, IL vs Atlanta, GA: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Atlanta is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Chicago are 2.7% higher, and utilities prices differ the most (83.6 in Chicago vs 96.2 in Atlanta). A single adult's modelled budget is $2,862 a month in Chicago and $3,203 in Atlanta.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Atlanta, GA |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 103.9 | 101.2 |
| BEA index for the area | 103.6 | 100.1 |
| Housing (rents) | 106.7 | 114.3 |
| Goods | 107.3 | 100.4 |
| Utilities | 83.6 | 96.2 |
| Other services | 100.5 | 96.7 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $2,862 | $3,203 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $4,482 | $4,805 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $5,408 | $5,438 |
| Median gross rent | $1,440 | $1,711 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,325 | $1,665 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $1,467 | $1,826 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $1,623 | $1,680 |
| Median home value | $334,100 | $439,600 |
| Median household income | $77,902 | $85,652 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 29.3% | 30.9% |
| Home value ÷ income | 4.3× | 5.1× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 19.32 | 15.90 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $4.10 † | $3.69 † |
| Population | 2,711,226 | 505,268 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
Chicago, IL
Chicago price index by category, US average = 100: All items 103.9, Housing (rents) 106.7, Goods 107.3, Utilities 83.6, Other services 100.5
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta price index by category, US average = 100: All items 101.2, Housing (rents) 114.3, Goods 100.4, Utilities 96.2, Other services 96.7
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | Chicago | Atlanta | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,422 | $1,544 | +$122 |
| Utilities | $431 | $511 | +$80 |
| Food at home | $797 | $746 | −$51 |
| Transportation | $1,700 | $1,627 | −$73 |
| Health care | $610 | $587 | −$23 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $448 | $423 | −$25 |
| Total | $5,408 | $5,438 | +$30 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Atlanta more expensive than Chicago?
No. Overall prices in Atlanta, GA (index 101.2) are 2.6% lower than in Chicago, IL (index 103.9), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in utilities: 96.2 vs 83.6.
What salary do I need in Atlanta to match $60,000 in Chicago?
About $58,400. Going the other way, $60,000 in Atlanta buys about as much as $61,600 in Chicago. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Chicago or Atlanta?
Median gross rent is $1,440 in Chicago and $1,711 in Atlanta (+18.8% in Atlanta; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $334,100 and $439,600.
Notes
- Chicago: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
- Atlanta: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources