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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,560 in Knoxville, TN, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,826 in Knoxville, TN, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,092 in Knoxville, TN, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 21% more than Knoxville, TN, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Knoxville, TN sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Knoxville, TN by 86%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.86 $19.86

$17.39 $17.39

14.20%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$76.4 $76.4

15.57%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.23 $13.23

$10.18 $10.18

29.96%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$5.55 $5.55

5.59%

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

$2.61 $2.61

$2.72 $2.72

-4.04%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$2.74 $2.74

-15.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 $7.03

$6.51 $6.51

7.99%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.25 $9.25

$6.68 $6.68

38.47%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.04 $1.04

28.85%

White Bread (500g)

$4.19 $4.19

$3.40 $3.40

23.24%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$4.71 $4.71

16.77%

Eggs

$4.71 $4.71

$4.45 $4.45

5.84%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$10.09 $10.09

45.89%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$9.61 $9.61

51.20%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$14.93 $14.93

31.88%

Apples (1kg)

$5.64 $5.64

$6.95 $6.95

-18.85%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.49 $1.49

32.21%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$2.87 $2.87

40.77%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$5.44 $5.44

-6.80%

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$2.15 $2.15

36.74%

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$4.36 $4.36

-33.03%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.25 $2.25

1.33%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.18 $2.18

43.12%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.19 $16.19

$10.02 $10.02

61.58%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$14.78 $14.78

2.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.95 $1.95

36.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$3.17 $3.17

9.78%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.02 $1.02

149.02%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

$29.77 $29.77

155.22%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 $3.16

$4.92 $4.92

-35.77%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.57 $1.57

-12.74%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.66 $22.66

$30.23 $30.23

-25.04%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$0.90 $0.90

33.33%

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

$37.0K $37.0K

$36.7K $36.7K

0.80%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$27.2K $27.2K

-4.35%

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

$190 $190

$221 $221

-14.25%

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

$68.5 $68.5

$75.0 $75.0

-8.71%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$53.7 $53.7

13.73%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

$30.08 $30.08

112.03%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

$21.74 $21.74

27.87%

Cinema Ticket

$18.28 $18.28

$15.20 $15.20

20.26%

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

$1,525 $1,525

$1,230 $1,230

23.91%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.0K $32.0K

$24.2K $24.2K

32.37%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$50.5 $50.5

26.72%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.4 $54.4

$45.38 $45.38

19.88%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$112 $112

-10.06%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$122 $122

26.11%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,421 $2,421

$1,767 $1,767

37.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,690 $1,690

$1,244 $1,244

35.84%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,584 $4,584

$2,968 $2,968

54.43%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,782 $2,782

$2,119 $2,119

31.33%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

$4,780 $4,780

-12.78%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

$2,224 $2,224

23.15%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,777 $4,777

$3,556 $3,556

34.36%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.08

4.93%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Last update for Knoxville, TN: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $1,767 in Knoxville, 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 34% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $76.0 in Knoxville, TN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $382 – making Knoxville, 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 Knoxville, TN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $2,560 in Knoxville, TN – roughly 21% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,840 in Knoxville, TN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 22% 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 mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $76.0 in Knoxville, TN. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,106 in Chicago, IL and $2,560 in Knoxville, TN. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,560 in Knoxville, TN to $3,106 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Knoxville, 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.