City comparison
Yes. Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 197 in Atlanta, and its violent crime index is 139 versus 193, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Chicago is cheaper. Median rent is $1,440 a month versus $1,711 in Atlanta.
Chicago and Atlanta are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,440 in Chicago and $1,711 in Atlanta, and median household income lands at $77,902 versus $85,652. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Chicago costs less and Atlanta pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Chicago at $1,440 average has pockets that run $1,240 and others at $1,840: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Chicago and Atlanta are 587 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $1,711 a month in Atlanta, up $271 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $85,652 in Atlanta, up $7,750 (10%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 197 in Atlanta, up 30 points (18%).
The move
Atlanta and Chicago are 587 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,711 a month in Atlanta to $1,440 a month in Chicago, down $271 a month (16%).
Median household income goes from $85,652 in Atlanta to $77,902 in Chicago, down $7,750 (9%).
The crime index goes from 197 in Atlanta to 167 in Chicago, down 30 points (15%).
Chicago, IL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Atlanta, GA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Chicago and Atlanta? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
16% cheaper
Chicago rent is 16% cheaper than Atlanta
Chicago
Winner$1,440/mo
Atlanta
$1,711/mo
Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $1,711 in Atlanta, so Chicago is 16% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,252, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Chicago still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Atlanta.
Planning to buy in Chicago? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
Atlanta's median income is 10% higher than Chicago
Chicago
$77,902
Atlanta
Winner$85,652
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Atlanta (about $7,750 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
15% lower crime
Chicago's crime index is 15% lower than Atlanta
Chicago
Winner167 (100 = avg)
Atlanta
197 (100 = avg)
Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 197 in Atlanta (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 15% lower in Chicago. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Chicago, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Atlanta. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
20% more comfortable
Atlanta weather is 20% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
59°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 83/100
Atlanta
Winner68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Chicago averages about 59°F (65°F highs); Atlanta averages about 68°F (76°F highs). Chicago averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Atlanta sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Atlanta scores 20% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Chicago if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Chicago is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 16% cheaper here at about $1,440 a month. Choose Chicago if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Chicago is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 15% lower than Atlanta (167 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 10% higher ($85,652), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Chicago leads on safety (44/100 vs 39/100 in Atlanta). Typical rent is $1,440 in Chicago and $1,711 in Atlanta; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Atlanta still pays more locally ($85,652 median income vs $77,902), which can offset the lease if your field pays Atlanta rates.
Weather averages land near 59°F in Chicago and 68°F in Atlanta.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Chicago; Atlanta only makes sense when you have walked the Atlanta ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,711 rent.
Common questions
Ready to move to Chicago?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Chicago when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Chicago and Atlanta, plus other cities in IL and GA.
