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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,084 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,594 in Athens, TN, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,637 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,630 in Athens, TN, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,191 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,666 in Athens, TN, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 19% more than Athens, TN, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Athens, TN sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Athens, TN by 94%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.81 $20.81

$22.28 $22.28

-6.60%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.6 $98.6

$34.47 $34.47

185.99%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.90 $11.90

$8.87 $8.87

34.16%

Cappuccino

$5.84 $5.84

$3.04 $3.04

92.11%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.01 $2.01

52.74%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.10 $2.10

11.90%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$6.58 $6.58

4.41%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.07 $8.07

$8.23 $8.23

-1.94%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.97 $0.97

8.25%

White Bread (500g)

$3.98 $3.98

$2.34 $2.34

70.09%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.60 $5.60

$4.55 $4.55

23.08%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$4.41 $4.41

3.17%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.20 $14.20

$13.43 $13.43

5.73%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.90 $14.90

$6.60 $6.60

125.76%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.08 $19.08

$10.99 $10.99

73.61%

Apples (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$4.30 $4.30

23.49%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.34 $1.34

27.61%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$4.52 $4.52

-6.19%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$4.11 $4.11

6.33%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$3.86 $3.86

-33.68%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$3.35 $3.35

-16.42%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.33 $2.33

6.01%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.70 $2.70

$1.86 $1.86

45.16%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.95 $14.95

$7.03 $7.03

112.66%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$14.74 $14.74

-0.07%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.75 $1.75

35.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$1.61 $1.61

121.74%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.44 $2.44

$2.03 $2.03

20.20%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.2 $75.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.09 $3.09

8.41%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.50 $1.50

-8.67%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.29 $25.29

$40.34 $40.34

-37.31%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.80 $0.80

36.25%

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

$32.3K $32.3K

$31.8K $31.8K

1.57%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$27.1K $27.1K

-2.54%

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

$188 $188

$241 $241

-21.85%

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

$63.3 $63.3

$54.2 $54.2

16.74%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$56.9 $56.9

16.28%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.6 $75.6

$43.60 $43.60

73.30%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.20 $13.20

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$7.80 $7.80

89.74%

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

$2,097 $2,097

$1,320 $1,320

58.79%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$30.5K $30.5K

26.18%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.9 $64.9

$70.4 $70.4

-7.86%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$39.38 $39.38

31.01%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.3 $96.3

$103 $103

-6.89%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$146 $146

$129 $129

13.22%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,332 $2,332

$1,629 $1,629

43.15%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,579 $1,579

$1,359 $1,359

16.21%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,775 $4,775

$2,581 $2,581

84.98%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,725 $2,725

$2,213 $2,213

23.17%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,023 $4,023

$2,016 $2,016

99.62%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,684 $2,684

$1,975 $1,975

35.88%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,981 $4,981

$8,373 $8,373

-40.51%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.56

0.61%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 20, 2026

Last update for Athens, TN: July 19, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,332 in Chicago, IL versus $1,629 in Athens, TN. 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 68% 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $34.00 in Athens, TN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $445 vs $335 – 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

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

Chicago, IL costs about 19% 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 $4,626 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,891 in Athens, TN. 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $34.00 in Athens, TN. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 33% 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.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,084 in Chicago, IL and $2,594 in Athens, TN. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Athens, TN costs $2,594 versus $3,084 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.