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Atlanta vs Chicago: prices, pay and housing
| Atlanta, GA | Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 100.1 | 103.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $71,900 | $73,380 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $51,170 | $54,720 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $71,858 | $70,834 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,572 | $56,962 |
| Typical home value | $382,938 | $353,998 |
| Median household income | $86,338 | $88,850 |
| Home price / household income | 4.4 | 4.0 |
| Metro population | 6,176,937 | 9,359,555 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Atlanta to Chicago
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Atlanta to Chicago, multiply your salary by 1.035.
| Salary in Atlanta | Same buying power in Chicago |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Atlanta | $51,767 in Chicago |
| $75,000 in Atlanta | $77,651 in Chicago |
| $100,000 in Atlanta | $103,535 in Chicago |
| $150,000 in Atlanta | $155,302 in Chicago |
| $200,000 in Atlanta | $207,070 in Chicago |
Salaries for common jobs in Atlanta and Chicago
| Job | Atlanta | Chicago | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,680 | $43,140 | $41,656 / $41,643 |
| General and Operations Managers | $141,560 | $143,740 | $141,478 / $138,752 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $31,880 | $38,490 | $31,862 / $37,154 |
| Registered Nurses | $99,760 | $97,930 | $99,702 / $94,532 |
| Cashiers | $30,470 | $35,760 | $30,452 / $34,519 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,340 | $34,690 | $28,324 / $33,486 |
| Retail Salespersons | $35,050 | $39,370 | $35,030 / $38,004 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,980 | $40,700 | $38,957 / $39,288 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $44,870 | $49,800 | $44,844 / $48,072 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $36,120 | $41,400 | $36,099 / $39,963 |
| Office Clerks, General | $44,300 | $49,620 | $44,274 / $47,898 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,400 | $65,170 | $59,366 / $62,908 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $89,540 | $83,770 | $89,488 / $80,863 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,870 | $35,650 | $26,854 / $34,413 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $45,960 | $54,630 | $45,933 / $52,734 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Atlanta vs Chicago: questions
Is Atlanta more expensive than Chicago?
No. BEA prices are 100.1 in Atlanta, GA and 103.6 in Chicago, IL (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Chicago to match $100,000 in Atlanta?
About $103,535, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Atlanta or Chicago?
Atlanta, GA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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