City comparison
Atlanta vs Chicago Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Atlanta (110.5) and Chicago (113.6).
Atlanta Index
110.5
Chicago Index
113.6
Atlanta Rent
$2,375
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Atlanta Home price
$410,000
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Atlanta to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Chicago.
Equivalent salary in Chicago
$90,469
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Atlanta and Chicago.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Atlanta | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 129 | 128 | -1.0 (-0.8%) |
| Groceries | 101 | 106 | +5.0 (+5.0%) |
| Transportation | 103 | 112 | +9.0 (+8.7%) |
| Healthcare | 97 | 104 | +7.0 (+7.2%) |
| Utilities | 100 | 101 | +1.0 (+1.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 102 | 105 | +3.0 (+2.9%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,990 / $5,130
Atlanta / Chicago
Couple
$8,280 / $8,520
Atlanta / Chicago
Family
$11,680 / $12,000
Atlanta / Chicago
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Atlanta city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Atlanta.
View Chicago city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Chicago.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.