Median rent is 14% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $1,607/mo). Buying is cheaper in South Fulton, where the median home runs $270,600 versus $315,200. Households earn more in South Fulton ($81,798 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
South Fulton, GA
How much would you need to earn in South Fulton, 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
South Fulton
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Chicago at $1,380/mo compared to $1,607/mo in South Fulton (14% gap). Median home values are within 14% of each other: $315,200 in Chicago and $270,600 in South Fulton.
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; South Fulton has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
South Fulton
Income tax: 5.49%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for South Fulton.
Pick South Fulton if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,798/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,380/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Chicago cheaper than South Fulton?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs South Fulton?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,607/mo in South Fulton, GA. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 14%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or South Fulton?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $81,798 in South Fulton, GA. South Fulton, GA 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 — Chicago or South Fulton?
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 South Fulton 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