We use a variational formulation to define a generalized notion of perimeter, from which we derive abstract isoperimetric Cheeger's inequalities via gradient estimates on solutions of Poisson equations. Our abstract framework unifies many existing results and in particular allows us to recover the $W_1-W^{1,1}$ transport inequality, which strengthens the usual transport-information inequality. Conversely, we also prove that Cheeger's inequality implies certain first order Calderón-Zygmund-type gradient estimates.