City Comparison · 2026
Atlanta vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Atlanta = $107k in Chicago
Metric
Atlanta
Chicago
COL Index
✓1.29
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,850/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,350/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
GA
IL
$100k Take-Home
$73,246
✓$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
26.75%
✓26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$51,046
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Atlanta GA | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $46,954 $3,913/mo · 21.74% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,246 $6,104/mo · 26.75% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $105,043 $8,754/mo · 29.97% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Atlanta or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Atlanta has a cost-of-living index of 1.29 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Atlanta is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Atlanta is $1,850/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Atlanta?
$100k in Atlanta = $107k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 7%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Atlanta or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,246 in GA (Atlanta) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $51,046 in Atlanta vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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