Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Atlanta

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Atlanta, Georgia.

Bottom line

Atlanta is approximately 7% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $3,980/mo in Atlanta versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs Atlanta

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Atlanta · Studio

$1,591

Atlanta is $133 (9%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Atlanta · 1 bedroom

$1,653

Atlanta is $93 (6%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Atlanta · 2 bedroom

$1,830

Atlanta is $69 (4%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Atlanta · 3 bedroom

$2,205

Chicago is $57 (3%) higher than Atlanta

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Atlanta

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Atlanta · Household income

$91,490

Atlanta is $9,693 (12%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Atlanta · Individual earnings

$56,269

Atlanta is $6,971 (14%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Atlanta · Per capita

$61,438

Atlanta is $13,637 (29%) higher than Chicago

Home values in Chicago vs Atlanta

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Atlanta · Average home value

$431,200

Atlanta is $126,000 (41%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Atlanta · Annual property tax

$3,847

Chicago is $2,206 (57%) higher than Atlanta

Energy in Chicago vs Atlanta

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Atlanta · Monthly electricity

$163

Atlanta is $47 (41%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Atlanta · Monthly gas

$42

Chicago is $19 (45%) higher than Atlanta

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Atlanta · Annual total

$2,460

Atlanta is $336 (16%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Atlanta

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Atlanta · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Atlanta are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Atlanta · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Atlanta are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Atlanta · Uninsured rate

9.7%

Atlanta is 0.7% (8%) higher than Chicago

Taxes in Chicago vs Atlanta

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Atlanta · State income tax

5.5%

Atlanta is 0.5% (11%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Atlanta · State sales tax

4.0%

Chicago is 2.3% (56%) higher than Atlanta

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Atlanta · Combined sales tax

7.4%

Chicago is 1.4% (20%) higher than Atlanta

Transportation in Chicago vs Atlanta

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Atlanta · Average commute

28.0 min

Chicago is 3.9 min (14%) higher than Atlanta

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Atlanta · Drive alone

58.9%

Atlanta is 2.7% (5%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Atlanta · Public transit

4.4%

Chicago is 8.6% (195%) higher than Atlanta

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Atlanta

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Atlanta · Single person

$3,980

Atlanta is $273 (7%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Atlanta · Couple

$5,478

Atlanta is $313 (6%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Atlanta · Family

$7,989

Atlanta is $178 (2%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Atlanta.

Is Chicago or Atlanta more expensive?

Atlanta is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,980/mo in Atlanta, Georgia, a difference of about 7%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Atlanta?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,653/mo in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta is approximately $93 (6%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Atlanta?

Atlanta has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Atlanta households earn approximately $91,490 per year.

More on Chicago and Atlanta

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Chicago profile Atlanta profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.