Last update: Oct 2026

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

For one person, living is cheaper in Chicago, IL: $3,037 a month against $3,122 in Franklin, TN, rent and utilities included – about $1,000 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Franklin, TN outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

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Cost of Living Index in Chicago, IL
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Chicago, IL Living Index

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Franklin, TN

🇺🇸 United States

$3,122

/mo nomad

Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 United States

$3,037

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Franklin, TN and in Chicago, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Franklin, TN and in Chicago, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,122 per month in Franklin, TN vs $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Franklin, TN $3,122
Chicago, IL $3,037

A couple spends around $4,506 per month in Franklin, TN vs $4,518 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Franklin, TN $4,506
Chicago, IL $4,518

A family of three spends $5,889 per month in Franklin, TN vs $5,999 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Franklin, TN $5,889
Chicago, IL $5,999

Franklin, TN costs about 3% more than Chicago, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Franklin, TN and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Franklin, TN by 129%, Chicago, IL by 123%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$28.12 $28.12

$20.71 $20.71

35.78%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$87.3 $87.3

$89.2 $89.2

-2.12%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.90 $11.90

$13.19 $13.19

-9.78%

Cappuccino

$7.33 $7.33

$5.66 $5.66

29.51%

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

$3.37 $3.37

$2.64 $2.64

27.65%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.29 $2.29

$2.28 $2.28

0.44%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.55 $7.55

$6.87 $6.87

9.90%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.07 $8.07

$8.84 $8.84

-8.71%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.31 $1.31

$1.25 $1.25

4.80%

White Bread (500g)

$3.81 $3.81

$3.72 $3.72

2.42%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

Eggs

$5.71 $5.71

$4.74 $4.74

20.46%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.47 $15.47

$13.84 $13.84

11.78%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$17.84 $17.84

$14.40 $14.40

23.89%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.38 $18.38

Apples (1kg)

$3.94 $3.94

$5.22 $5.22

-24.52%

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.98 $1.98

-2.53%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

Tomato (1kg)

$4.97 $4.97

Potato (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$2.67 $2.67

-26.22%

Onion (1kg)

$2.13 $2.13

$2.66 $2.66

-19.92%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.24 $2.24

10.27%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.13 $3.13

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.46 $9.46

$13.82 $13.82

-31.55%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.87 $12.87

$14.88 $14.88

-13.51%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.54 $2.54

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.51 $3.51

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.98 $0.98

$2.43 $2.43

-59.67%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$61.0 $61.0

$73.5 $73.5

-17.03%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.39 $1.39

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.03 $25.03

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$1.20 $1.20

-27.50%

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

$28.1K $28.1K

$35.0K $35.0K

-19.81%

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

$27.2K $27.2K

$26.7K $26.7K

2.01%

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

$214 $214

$194 $194

9.82%

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

$116 $116

$69.5 $69.5

66.93%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$90.5 $90.5

$61.6 $61.6

46.74%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$58.6 $58.6

$47.90 $47.90

22.32%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.34 $27.34

Cinema Ticket

$16.06 $16.06

$17.81 $17.81

-9.83%

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

$397 $397

$1,794 $1,794

-77.86%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$98.6 $98.6

$67.0 $67.0

47.15%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.7 $63.7

$52.1 $52.1

22.08%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$75.6 $75.6

$102 $102

-25.59%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 $112

$144 $144

-22.02%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,924 $1,924

$2,526 $2,526

-23.84%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,677 $1,677

$1,578 $1,578

6.28%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,203 $3,203

$4,738 $4,738

-32.40%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,711 $2,711

$2,693 $2,693

0.69%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,526 $3,526

$4,190 $4,190

-15.83%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,932 $2,932

$2,768 $2,768

5.94%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,239 $6,239

$4,931 $4,931

26.53%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.59

6.81

-3.23%

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

Last update for Franklin, TN: October 25, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Franklin, TN

–

Chicago, IL

$1.6K 52%

Groceries & Markets

Franklin, TN

–

Chicago, IL

$447 14.7%

Eating Out

Franklin, TN

–

Chicago, IL

$345 11.4%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Franklin, TN

–

Chicago, IL

$326 10.7%

Clothing & Footwear

Franklin, TN

–

Chicago, IL

$164 5.4%

Getting Around

Franklin, TN

–

Chicago, IL

$93 3.1%

Sport & Entertainment

Franklin, TN

–

Chicago, IL

$84 2.8%

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,924 in Franklin, TN versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL. 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 27% higher in Franklin, TN. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $87 in Franklin, TN versus $89 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $287 vs $447 – making Franklin, TN the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Franklin, TN

🇺🇸 Chicago, IL

🕒 Local time

02:18 2:18 AM

Same time as Franklin, TN

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

83,454

2,746,388

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.893 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Between locations

Franklin, TN Chicago, IL 660 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight

From you

Franklin, TN
Chicago, IL

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $3,122 in Franklin, TN, $3,037 in Chicago, IL – Chicago, IL comes out roughly 3% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,683 per month in Franklin, TN and $4,555 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Franklin, TN, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,924 there versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL.

Public transport costs about 17% less in Franklin, TN. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Interestingly, groceries are about 36% cheaper in Franklin, TN – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,122 in Franklin, TN and $3,037 in Chicago, IL. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chicago, IL costs $3,037 versus $3,122 in Franklin, TN. Both appeal to remote workers, and the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Franklin, TN makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.