Median rent is 16% lower in Athens-Clarke County ($1,162/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Athens-Clarke County, where the median home runs $271,800 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $51,655 a year).
City A
Athens-Clarke County, GA
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Athens-Clarke County, GA?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Athens-Clarke County
Georgia
Chicago
Illinois
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Athens-Clarke County at $1,162/mo compared to $1,380/mo in Chicago (16% gap). Median home values are within 14% of each other: $271,800 in Athens-Clarke County and $315,200 in Chicago.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Georgia's top income tax rate is 5.49% versus 4.95% in Illinois, so Chicago is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in Georgia and 6.25% in Illinois; Athens-Clarke County has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Athens-Clarke County
Income tax: 5.49%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Athens-Clarke County.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Athens-Clarke County if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,162/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Athens-Clarke County cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Athens-Clarke County vs Chicago?
Median rent is $1,162/mo in Athens-Clarke County, GA and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Athens-Clarke County, GA has the lower rent by about 16%.
Which has higher salaries — Athens-Clarke County or Chicago?
Median household income is $51,655 in Athens-Clarke County, GA and $75,134 in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Athens-Clarke County or Chicago?
Georgia's top income tax rate is 5.49% and Illinois's is 4.95%. Chicago, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Chicago to match my Athens-Clarke County income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology