City vs city
Chicago, IL vs Nashville, TN
- Rent is 10% lower in Chicago (median $1,440/mo vs $1,586/mo in Nashville).
- Homes cost 24% less in Chicago ($334k vs $414k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $152 more a month after taxes and rent in Nashville.
- Nashville has no state income tax on wages; Chicago does.
- Schools rate higher in Chicago (2.4/10 vs 2/10).
- Chicago has less violent crime (4.2 vs 7.5 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- Nashville has milder winters (40°F vs 26°F average).
- Nashville gets more sun (210 vs 189 sunny days a year).
| Chicago | Nashville | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,440/mo | $1,586/mo |
| Median home value | $334k | $414k |
| Median household income | $78k | $77k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,395 | $3,547 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | None |
| School rating | 2.4/10 | 2/10 |
| Violent crime | 1.2× the US rate | 2.1× the US rate |
| Summer average | 85°F | 91°F |
| Winter average | 26°F | 40°F |
| Sunny days a year | 189 | 210 |
| Walk score | 77 | 29 |
| Population | 2,711,226 | 690,130 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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