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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,373 in Tullahoma, TN, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,593 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,440 in Tullahoma, TN, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,177 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,507 in Tullahoma, TN, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 27% more than Tullahoma, TN, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Tullahoma, TN sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 125%, Tullahoma, TN by 77%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.35 $20.35

$18.28 $18.28

11.32%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$45.63 $45.63

122.79%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.98 $11.98

$9.92 $9.92

20.77%

Cappuccino

$5.70 $5.70

$4.94 $4.94

15.38%

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

$3.00 $3.00

$2.17 $2.17

38.25%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.48 $1.48

66.22%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$4.45 $4.45

54.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.09 $8.09

$5.97 $5.97

35.51%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.92 $0.92

11.96%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$3.00 $3.00

31.67%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$3.83 $3.83

41.51%

Eggs

$4.50 $4.50

$3.80 $3.80

18.42%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$9.92 $9.92

46.47%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$8.98 $8.98

65.81%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.98 $18.98

$16.01 $16.01

18.55%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.49 $4.49

20.04%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.24 $1.24

42.74%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$2.66 $2.66

63.53%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$2.91 $2.91

55.67%

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.66 $1.66

52.41%

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.12 $2.12

32.55%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$1.42 $1.42

76.76%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.12 $2.12

25.94%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.88 $14.88

$6.22 $6.22

139.23%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.22 $15.22

$6.98 $6.98

118.05%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.79 $1.79

37.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 $3.53

$2.95 $2.95

19.66%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.03 $2.03

26.11%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.3 $74.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 $3.19

$4.97 $4.97

-35.81%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.59 $1.59

-11.32%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.49 $25.49

$29.87 $29.87

-14.66%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.78 $0.78

33.33%

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

$32.2K $32.2K

$21.9K $21.9K

47.06%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$22.7K $22.7K

18.09%

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

$184 $184

$127 $127

44.39%

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

$63.1 $63.1

$54.9 $54.9

14.98%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.4 $66.4

$55.3 $55.3

20.05%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.9 $75.9

$42.18 $42.18

79.97%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

Cinema Ticket

$15.25 $15.25

$14.74 $14.74

3.46%

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

$2,090 $2,090

$1,146 $1,146

82.41%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.2K $39.2K

$21.2K $21.2K

84.88%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$41.50 $41.50

54.70%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.0 $51.0

$12.93 $12.93

294.43%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.2 $97.2

$64.5 $64.5

50.56%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 $149

$96.9 $96.9

53.23%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,341 $2,341

$1,583 $1,583

47.91%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 $1,572

$1,335 $1,335

17.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,741 $4,741

$2,643 $2,643

79.34%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,819 $2,819

$2,210 $2,210

27.57%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,900 $3,900

$2,249 $2,249

73.41%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,638 $2,638

$2,266 $2,266

16.42%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,769 $4,769

$3,469 $3,469

37.46%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.25

5.60%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026

Last update for Tullahoma, TN: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $1,583 in Tullahoma, 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 37% 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $46.00 in Tullahoma, TN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $317 – making Tullahoma, 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 Tullahoma, TN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $2,373 in Tullahoma, TN – roughly 27% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,560 in Tullahoma, TN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Tullahoma, 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 $102 in Chicago, IL and $46.00 in Tullahoma, TN. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 41% 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.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $2,373 in Tullahoma, 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 $2,373 in Tullahoma, TN to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Tullahoma, 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.