Columbus vs Chicago: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Columbus, Georgia compare to Chicago, Illinois? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Columbus is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 45% lower in Columbus compared to Chicago, while rent is 21% lower. State income tax is 5.49% in GA vs 4.95% in IL.
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Chicago, IL | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $168,400 | $304,500 | -44.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 | $1,314 | -21.0% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $54,561 | $71,673 | -23.9% |
| Per Capita Income | $30,980 | $45,840 | -32.4% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% | +10.9% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.4% | 8.8% | -16.5% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 204,572 | 2,721,914 | -92.5% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Columbus
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Chicago
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Columbus costs $168,400 compared to $304,500 in Chicago — a 45% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,038/mo in Columbus vs $1,314/mo in Chicago.
- Income: Median household income is $54,561 in Columbus and $71,673 in Chicago.
- Taxes: State income tax is 5.49% in Georgia vs 4.95% in Illinois.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).