Atlanta GA vs Chicago IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Chicago
28.4%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.7 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.9% | 39.1% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 28.4% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Chicago
$48,148
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Chicago
43.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $75,134 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $48,148 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.9% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 43.3% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 45.5% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Chicago
1842
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Chicago
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Chicago
11.9%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 32.6% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.0% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.6% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 19.0% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.9% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Chicago
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 37.8 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Chicago +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Chicago
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Chicago + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 36.5 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Chicago has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
Compare More Cities
Atlanta, GA vs New York, NYAtlanta, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAtlanta, GA vs Houston, TXAtlanta, GA vs Phoenix, AZAtlanta, GA vs Philadelphia, PAAtlanta, GA vs San Antonio, TX