Question 1

Is Chicago or Nashville cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Nashville, TN is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $92/month less than in Chicago, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,781/mo in Chicago versus $1,730/mo in Nashville.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Chicago vs Nashville?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $81,000/year before tax in Chicago, IL and $74,000/year in Nashville, TN — a difference of about $7,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Chicago or Nashville cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Nashville, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $9,545/month in Chicago and $9,104/month in Nashville, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Chicago or Nashville?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Nashville costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Chicago61	Nashville72
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,293	$4,201
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$9,545	$9,104
Salary for comfort	$81,000/yr	$74,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,781	$1,730
Median home value	$315,200	$383,100
Median household income	$75,134	$75,197
Unemployment	5.9%	2.9%
Housing score	52	44
Jobs score	7	96
Safety score	66	35
Climate score	89	100
Amenities score	73	77
Population	2.7M	684.3K
Summer high / winter low	85° / 21°	89° / 28°

Chicago, IL vs Nashville, TN