Cost of Living Comparison Between Athens, TN and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Athens, TN and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,942 per month in Athens, TN vs $3,106 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,788 per month in Athens, TN vs $4,599 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,634 per month in Athens, TN vs $6,092 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Athens, TN is about 37% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Athens, TN and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Athens, TN by 41%, Chicago, IL by 126%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$22.13 $22.13

$19.86 $19.86

11.43%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.86 $34.86

$88.3 $88.3

-60.54%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.45 $11.45

$13.23 $13.23

-13.45%

Cappuccino

$2.99 $2.99

$5.86 $5.86

-48.98%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 $2.06

$2.61 $2.61

-21.07%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.21 $2.21

$2.32 $2.32

-4.74%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.32 $7.32

$7.03 $7.03

4.13%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.04 $8.04

$9.25 $9.25

-13.08%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$1.34 $1.34

-35.07%

White Bread (500g)

$2.34 $2.34

$4.19 $4.19

-44.15%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.77 $3.77

$5.50 $5.50

-31.45%

Eggs

$4.83 $4.83

$4.71 $4.71

2.55%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.69 $14.69

$14.72 $14.72

-0.20%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.54 $6.54

$14.53 $14.53

-54.99%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.13 $11.13

$19.69 $19.69

-43.47%

Apples (1kg)

$4.47 $4.47

$5.64 $5.64

-20.74%

Banana (1kg)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.97 $1.97

-28.43%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.82 $5.82

$4.04 $4.04

44.06%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.22 $5.22

$5.07 $5.07

2.96%

Potato (1kg)

$3.71 $3.71

$2.94 $2.94

26.19%

Onion (1kg)

$2.71 $2.71

$2.92 $2.92

-7.19%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.18 $2.18

$2.28 $2.28

-4.39%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.88 $1.88

$3.12 $3.12

-39.74%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.17 $7.17

$16.19 $16.19

-55.71%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.86 $14.86

$15.17 $15.17

-2.04%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 $1.99

$2.67 $2.67

-25.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.96 $4.96

$3.48 $3.48

42.53%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.02 $2.02

$2.54 $2.54

-20.47%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.46 $3.46

$3.16 $3.16

9.49%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.45 $1.45

$1.37 $1.37

5.84%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.66 $23.66

$22.66 $22.66

4.41%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.80 $0.80

$1.20 $1.20

-33.33%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$36.2K $36.2K

$37.0K $37.0K

-2.16%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.3K $26.3K

$26.0K $26.0K

0.92%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$198 $198

$190 $190

4.34%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$71.5 $71.5

$68.5 $68.5

4.42%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$56.9 $56.9

$61.1 $61.1

-6.78%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.18 $41.18

$63.8 $63.8

-35.43%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$7.85 $7.85

$18.28 $18.28

-57.06%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,885 $1,885

$1,525 $1,525

23.67%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.9K $22.9K

$32.0K $32.0K

-28.43%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.8 $53.8

$64.0 $64.0

-16.00%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.41 $44.41

$54.4 $54.4

-18.36%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.2 $96.2

$101 $101

-4.34%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 $109

$153 $153

-29.24%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$873 $873

$2,421 $2,421

-63.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$710 $710

$1,690 $1,690

-58.01%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,449 $1,449

$4,584 $4,584

-68.40%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,166 $1,166

$2,782 $2,782

-58.10%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,804 $2,804

$4,170 $4,170

-32.74%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,351 $2,351

$2,739 $2,739

-14.18%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$8,219 $8,219

$4,777 $4,777

72.05%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.2

6.38

-2.82%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Athens, TN: August 31, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $873 in Athens, TN versus $2,421 in Chicago, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 72% higher in Athens, TN, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $35.00 in Athens, TN versus $88.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $354 vs $465 – making Athens, TN the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Athens, TN vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago, IL costs about 60% more than Athens, TN, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,912 per month in Athens, TN and $4,659 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Athens, TN, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $35.00 in Athens, TN and $88.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 31% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Athens, TN, where all-in costs run around $1,942, than in Chicago, IL at $3,106. In Athens, TN it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Athens, TN costs $1,942 versus $3,106 in Chicago, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Athens, TN. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.