Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Chicago vs Nashville
Chicago vs Nashville cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Chicago
πΊπΈ NashvilleNashville is 9% cheaper than Chicago
Living on $6,989 a month in Chicago feels like about $5,957 in Nashville β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$333 vs $323
Per month
$6,989 vs $5,957
Local meal
$ 16 vs $ 15
$16 vs $15
Taxi 5 km
$ 18 vs $ 16
$18 vs $16
At a glance
FoodNashville 6% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinkssimilar
TransportNashville 7% cheaper
StayNashville 10% cheaper
Funsimilar
- Where Nashville is clearly cheaper: Transit (20%β), Studio rent (month) (19%β)
Item by item
| Item | Chicago | Nashville | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 16$16 | $ 15$15 | Nashville β6% |
| Street food1 item | $ 7.2$7.2 | $ 6.8$6.8 | Nashville β6% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | $ 40$40 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7$7 | $ 7$7 | similar |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 18$18 | $ 18$18 | similar |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2$2 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 18$18 | $ 16$16 | Nashville β11% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | $ 12$12 | Chicago β8% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 2$2 | Nashville β20% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 57$57 | $ 60$60 | Chicago β5% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | $ 180$180 | similar |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,100$2,100 | $ 1,700$1,700 | Nashville β19% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4$4 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 24$24 | $ 25$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 34$34 | $ 35$35 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | $ 96$96 | $ 100$100 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 86$86 | $ 90$90 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 24$24 | $ 25$25 | similar |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Chicago or Nashville?
Nashville is 9% cheaper than Chicago. Daily budget $333 vs $323; a month $6,989 vs $5,957.
How do monthly costs compare between Chicago and Nashville?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chicago is about $6,989 and Nashville about $5,957 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.