2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Atlanta, GA vs Lake Forest, IL

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lake Forest or is it cheaper to live in Atlanta?
- Lake Forest is 14.4% less expensive than Atlanta.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lake Forest or Atlanta?
- Lake Forest housing costs are 149.0% more expensive than Atlanta housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Atlanta or is Health Care more affordable in Lake Forest.
- Health related expenses are 2.5% less in Lake Forest.
 Atlanta, GALake Forest, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock97.0100
 Food & Groceries98.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock96.3100
 Housing114.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$898,600$338,100
 Utilities104  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock93.7100
 Miscellaneous103.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Atlanta    318 Reviews

Lots of traffic near the airport at all times. Adds about 1.5 hrs to a 30 min commute. Great food and culture in downtown ATL area.  More

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Honestly the greater Atlanta area is the best place I've ever lived. There is so much diversity, delicious food, shopping, etc. The traffic really isn't that bad if you  More

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Over 2 years ago

I've lived just outside of Atlanta for 22 years and have spent a year deep within the hustle and bustle of the city. It's really NOT that bad. The crime really isn't  More

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Reviews for Lake Forest    4 Reviews

We relocated cross county to Lake Forest about a year ago due to a job change. We looked at nearby communities, within proximity of the work commute (the office is in  More

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Be prepared for a so called upscale town with entitled, overpaid, snooty people from teenagers who sneer at you to adults who look you up and down, who make demands on a  More

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Over 15 years ago

Long cold winters, short cold springs, hot humid summers, nice  More

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