Median rent is 26% lower in Macon-Bibb County ($1,026/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Macon-Bibb County, where the median home runs $165,800 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $50,747 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Macon-Bibb County, GA
How much would you need to earn in Macon-Bibb County, GA to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
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
Chicago
Illinois
Macon-Bibb County
Georgia
👥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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Macon-Bibb County — median rent of $1,026/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 26% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $165,800 in Macon-Bibb County — 47% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 5.49% in Georgia, so Chicago is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 4.00% in Georgia; Macon-Bibb County has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Macon-Bibb County
Income tax: 5.49%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 21.0 AQI (Good) compared to 53.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Macon-Bibb County if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,026/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 21.0).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Chicago cheaper than Macon-Bibb County?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Macon-Bibb County?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,026/mo in Macon-Bibb County, GA. Macon-Bibb County, GA has the lower rent by about 26%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Macon-Bibb County?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $50,747 in Macon-Bibb County, GA. 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?
Chicago, IL has better air quality on average: 21.0 AQI versus 53.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Chicago or Macon-Bibb County?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Georgia's is 5.49%. Chicago, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Macon-Bibb County to match my Chicago 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