City Cost Report
Atlanta skyline
Atlanta
Chicago skyline
Chicago
VS

Atlanta is 6% cheaper than Chicago overall.

AtlantaChicago
Rent (1BR City Centre)$2,517.84 CAD$2,937.48 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$2,028.26 CAD$2,377.96 CAD
Groceries Index101105
Monthly Transit Pass$153.87 CAD$104.91 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$202.83 CAD$202.83 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.15 CAD$1.33 CAD
Mid-range Meal$32.17 CAD$33.57 CAD
Gym Membership$67.14 CAD$69.94 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$1,818.44 CAD$2,238.08 CAD

Each city is shown in your selected currency (toggle CAD/USD in the header); cheaper values are highlighted after converting to a common currency. Updated June 2026.

Salary Equivalence Calculator

If you earn $in Atlanta...

You would need $63,566 in Chicago to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Atlanta cheaper than Chicago?

Atlanta is 6% cheaper than Chicago overall.

How much is rent in Atlanta vs Chicago?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $1,800 USD per month in Atlanta and $2,100 USD in Chicago. Outside the centre, it is $1,450 USD in Atlanta and $1,700 USD in Chicago.

What salary do I need to move from Atlanta to Chicago?

On average, you need about 106% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Atlanta is roughly equivalent to $63,566 in Chicago.

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