Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Lenoir City, TN Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Lenoir City, TN

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,345 in Lenoir City, TN, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,343 in Lenoir City, TN, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,341 in Lenoir City, TN, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 30% more than Lenoir City, TN, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Lenoir City, TN sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Lenoir City, TN by 75%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$12.14 $12.14

70.26%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$35.11 $35.11

186.13%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$9.88 $9.88

20.04%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.11 $4.11

34.79%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.26 $2.26

35.40%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.77 $1.77

40.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$4.79 $4.79

44.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$5.11 $5.11

59.10%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.76 $0.76

36.84%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$2.16 $2.16

81.02%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$4.53 $4.53

19.65%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$3.23 $3.23

38.70%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$7.88 $7.88

84.26%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$5.62 $5.62

170.64%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$7.90 $7.90

143.67%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.44 $4.44

21.40%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.17 $1.17

44.44%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$3.65 $3.65

18.36%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$4.39 $4.39

2.73%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.15 $2.15

19.07%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.69 $2.69

0.37%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$1.54 $1.54

56.49%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.77 $1.77

48.02%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$7.99 $7.99

87.98%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$12.07 $12.07

21.87%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.74 $1.74

42.53%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$1.72 $1.72

114.53%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.04 $2.04

25.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$5.11 $5.11

-35.62%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.46 $1.46

-2.05%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$29.60 $29.60

-16.49%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.77 $0.77

41.56%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$23.1K $23.1K

37.59%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.3K $25.3K

4.62%

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

$183 $183

$143 $143

28.17%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$59.3 $59.3

4.32%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$58.8 $58.8

10.54%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$43.11 $43.11

76.48%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$14.71 $14.71

0.27%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$814 $814

152.54%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$24.6K $24.6K

56.44%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$41.34 $41.34

54.64%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$35.68 $35.68

44.59%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$73.9 $73.9

31.63%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$158 $158

-6.85%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,583 $1,583

48.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,332 $1,332

18.66%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,631 $2,631

78.98%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,213 $2,213

22.69%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$2,728 $2,728

45.77%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,344 $2,344

12.29%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$3,162 $3,162

49.36%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

32.00%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Lenoir City, TN: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,583 in Lenoir City, 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 49% 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $35 in Lenoir City, TN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $277 – making Lenoir City, 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 Lenoir City, TN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,345 in Lenoir City, TN – roughly 30% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,517 in Lenoir City, TN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Lenoir City, 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 $100 in Chicago, IL and $35.00 in Lenoir City, TN. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 61% 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 $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $2,345 in Lenoir City, 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 $2,345 in Lenoir City, TN to $3,051 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Lenoir City, 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.