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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,323 in Union City, TN, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,330 in Union City, TN, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,336 in Union City, TN, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 31% more than Union City, TN, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Union City, TN sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Union City, TN by 73%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$10.13 $10.13

104.05%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$49.71 $49.71

102.09%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$7.18 $7.18

65.18%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$3.03 $3.03

82.84%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.10 $2.10

45.71%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.60 $1.60

55.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$4.05 $4.05

70.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$4.02 $4.02

102.24%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.94 $0.94

10.64%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$2.31 $2.31

69.26%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$1.88 $1.88

188.30%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$2.59 $2.59

72.97%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$12.39 $12.39

17.19%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$8.21 $8.21

85.26%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$15.83 $15.83

21.60%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.33 $4.33

24.48%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.25 $1.25

35.20%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$3.00 $3.00

44.00%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$4.45 $4.45

1.35%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.60 $2.60

-1.54%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.13 $2.13

26.76%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$1.79 $1.79

34.64%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.44 $1.44

81.94%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$6.85 $6.85

119.27%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$12.94 $12.94

13.68%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.02 $2.02

22.77%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$1.77 $1.77

108.47%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.01 $2.01

26.87%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$5.05 $5.05

-34.85%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.58 $1.58

-9.49%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$21.27 $21.27

16.22%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.73 $0.73

49.32%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$33.0K $33.0K

-3.83%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$26.3K $26.3K

0.58%

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

$183 $183

$205 $205

-10.43%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$32.30 $32.30

91.42%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$50.9 $50.9

27.68%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$43.23 $43.23

75.99%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

$7.05 $7.05

84.96%

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$15.15 $15.15

-2.64%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$1,250 $1,250

64.52%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$30.7K $30.7K

25.33%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$34.69 $34.69

84.29%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$48.14 $48.14

7.17%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$84.7 $84.7

14.87%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$134 $134

9.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$594 $594

295.82%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,373 $1,373

15.16%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$993 $993

374.01%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,179 $2,179

24.62%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$3,058 $3,058

30.04%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,250 $2,250

16.97%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$1,992 $1,992

137.07%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.52

1.23%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

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

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $594 in Union 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 137% 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 $50 in Union City, TN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $316 – making Union 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 Union City, TN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,323 in Union City, TN – roughly 31% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,484 in Union City, TN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Union 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 $50.0 in Union City, TN. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 42% 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 $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Union City, TN, where all-in costs run around $2,323, than in Chicago, IL at $3,051. In Union City, TN it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,323 in Union City, TN to $3,051 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Union 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.