Chicago, IL → Rome, GA
Moving to Rome costs you $453 a month
−$5,436 a year for the same registered nurse, the same household size, and the same number of bedrooms.
| Per month | Chicago | Rome | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $8,208 | $6,442 | −$1,767 |
| Income and payroll tax | $2,130 | $1,494 | −$636 |
| Take-home pay | $6,079 | $4,948 | −$1,130 |
| Rent | $1,828 | $1,028 | −$800 |
| Getting around | $392 | $595 | +$203 |
| Groceries | $408 | $386 | −$22 |
| Healthcare | $459 | $434 | −$25 |
| Utilities | $255 | $241 | −$14 |
| Everything else | $357 | $337 | −$20 |
| Left over | $2,380 | $1,927 | −$453 |
To break even in Rome, you'd need to earn
$85,500
Household gross, versus $98,500 today. That's the salary that leaves you exactly as much at the end of the month as Chicago does now.
The tax difference alone
+$1,349
A year, in state and local income tax. Effective rates: 25.9% in Chicago, 23.2% in Rome.
More about Rome
Chicago, IL in full
World-class city amenities at Midwest home prices, funded by 2.1% property tax.
Rome, GA in full
A flat 5.19% state income tax, a median 2-bedroom asking rent of $1,224 and 213 sunny days; commutes average 24 minutes.
The reverse move
Same two cities, but starting from Rome on Rome wages.
Rome → Chicago →Rent is Zillow's asking rent for each metro; taxes and living costs are modelled. An estimate, not a quote or tax advice. How this is calculated.