City comparison
Chicago vs Atlanta Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Chicago (113.6) and Atlanta (110.5).
Chicago Index
113.6
Atlanta Index
110.5
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Atlanta Rent
$2,375
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Atlanta Home price
$410,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Chicago to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Atlanta.
Equivalent salary in Atlanta
$88,517
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Chicago and Atlanta.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Chicago | Atlanta | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 128 | 129 | +1.0 (+0.8%) |
| Groceries | 106 | 101 | -5.0 (-4.7%) |
| Transportation | 112 | 103 | -9.0 (-8.0%) |
| Healthcare | 104 | 97 | -7.0 (-6.7%) |
| Utilities | 101 | 100 | -1.0 (-1.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 105 | 102 | -3.0 (-2.9%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,130 / $4,990
Chicago / Atlanta
Couple
$8,520 / $8,280
Chicago / Atlanta
Family
$12,000 / $11,680
Chicago / Atlanta
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Chicago city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Chicago.
View Atlanta city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Atlanta.
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.