Chicago, IL vs Nashville, TN
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Jun 2026
Report card
| Category | ChicagoChicago, IL | NashvilleNashville, TN | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | |||
| Affluence | Average | Average | |
| Cost of Living | |||
| Crime | High Risk | Elevated | |
| Education | |||
| Quality of Life | Average | Good | |
| Sovereignty | Self-Reliant | Moderate | |
| Strategic | High Risk | Vulnerable |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
At 23 traffic deaths per 100,000 people, Chicago, IL and Nashville, TN differ markedly on road safety—Nashville’s rate is 2.4× higher, placing Chicago in the 23rd percentile and Nashville in the 67th for this metric, per 2025 data. Property crime per 100,000 people also diverges sharply: Chicago’s 2,921 (91st percentile) is 78% higher than Nashville’s 1,641 (64th percentile). Unemployment rates contrast as well, with Chicago at 5.3% (93rd percentile) versus Nashville’s 2.8% (15th percentile), a 2.5-point difference based on 2023 Census figures.
Population density further separates the two: Chicago’s 11,889 people per square mile (99th percentile) is 8.3× higher than Nashville’s 1,439 (43rd percentile). Average commute times reflect this density, with Chicago at 33.5 minutes (95th percentile) compared to Nashville’s 24.9 minutes (60th percentile), a 9-minute longer trip. Job growth over the past year shows Nashville adding jobs at +1.1% versus Chicago’s +0.2%, a 0.9-point gap, placing Nashville in the 50th percentile and Chicago in the 26th.
Distance to the international border also differs: Nashville is 528 miles away (72nd percentile), 91% farther than Chicago’s 276 miles (40th percentile). Median home values are $383,100 in Nashville (69th percentile) versus $315,200 in Chicago (57th percentile), a 22% difference. The cost-of-living index stands at 131 for Nashville (68th percentile) and 116 for Chicago (60th percentile), with Nashville 13% higher.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
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Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Nashville, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 11660th pctl | 13168th pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Chicago, IL 116; Nashville, TN 131; Nashville is 13% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $315,20057th pctl | $383,10069th pctl | Median home value: Chicago, IL $315,200; Nashville, TN $383,100; Nashville is 22% higher. |
| Median rent | $1,38063rd pctl | $1,48670th pctl | Median rent: Chicago, IL $1,380; Nashville, TN $1,486; Nashville is 8% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $75,13453rd pctl | $75,19753rd pctl | About the same |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $124,22791st pctl | $74,42970th pctl | Comfortable income (single): Chicago, IL $124,227; Nashville, TN $74,429; Chicago is 67% higher. |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $182,61491st pctl | $109,41170th pctl | Comfortable income (family of 4): Chicago, IL $182,614; Nashville, TN $109,411; Chicago is 67% higher. |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Affordable | Stretched | Housing affordability: Chicago, IL B+; Nashville, TN C+; Chicago is graded higher. |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in Nashville needs about
$84,700
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 116 vs 131). Leaves out taxes, groceries and transport. How it works →
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
Jobs & income
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Nashville, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 5.3%93rd pctl | 2.8%15th pctl | Unemployment: Chicago, IL 5.3%; Nashville, TN 2.8%; Chicago is 2.5 points higher. |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | +0.2%26th pctl | +1.1%50th pctl | Job growth (YoY): Chicago, IL +0.2%; Nashville, TN +1.1%; Nashville is 0.9 points higher. |
| Per-capita income | $48,14874th pctl | $46,82072nd pctl | About the same |
| Poverty rate | 16.8%73rd pctl | 14.1%62nd pctl | Poverty rate: Chicago, IL 16.8%; Nashville, TN 14.1%; Chicago is 2.7 points higher. |
| CommuteAverage commute | 33.5 min95th pctl | 24.9 min60th pctl | Average commute: Chicago, IL 33.5 min; Nashville, TN 24.9 min; Chicago is 9 minutes longer. |
| Work from home | 18.3%79th pctl | 18.3%79th pctl | About the same |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Stable | About the same |
| Job market | Stable | Strong | Job market: Chicago, IL C+; Nashville, TN A-; Nashville is graded higher. |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Nashville, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 37174th pctl | 49185th pctl | Violent crime per 100k: Chicago, IL 371; Nashville, TN 491; Nashville is 32% higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 2,92191st pctl | 1,64164th pctl | Property crime per 100k: Chicago, IL 2,921; Nashville, TN 1,641; Chicago is 78% higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Rising | Falling | |
| Crime & safety | Dangerous | Fair | Crime & safety: Chicago, IL D-; Nashville, TN C-; Nashville is graded higher. |
| Traffic safety | Very SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | FairCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Traffic safety: Chicago, IL A+; Nashville, TN C+; Chicago is graded higher. |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Nashville, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| HealthcareHealthcare access | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| Tap water | Clean | Clean | About the same |
| Power grid | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | Power grid: Chicago, IL A+; Nashville, TN B+; Chicago is graded higher. |
| HomesteadingHomesteading potential | Prime | Prime | Homesteading potential: Chicago, IL A; Nashville, TN B+; Chicago is graded higher. |
| Disaster riskNational disaster risk | High-Risk | High-Risk | About the same |
4 rows not shown (data not available)
4 rows not shown: climate comfort isn't available for Nashville, TN; broadband, walkability and local food access aren't available for either place.
Data: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
Taxes & laws
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Nashville, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HomeschoolHomeschool rules | noneState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | moderateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| FirearmsFirearm laws grade | FState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | A-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| Property rightsProperty rights (eminent domain) | D+State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | D-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| EnergyEnergy production | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. |
1 row not shown: taxes isn't available for Nashville, TN.
Data: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
Strategic location
How exposed each place is to large-scale disruption, based on distance from big cities, likely targets and natural hazards.
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Nashville, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 0 mi1st pctl | 1 mi1st pctl | Nearest large city: Chicago, IL 0 mi; Nashville, TN 1 mi; Nashville is 50% higher. |
| Target proximity | Weak | Poor | Target proximity: Chicago, IL C+; Nashville, TN F; Chicago is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 276 mi40th pctl | 528 mi72nd pctl | Distance to international border: Chicago, IL 276 mi; Nashville, TN 528 mi; Nashville is 91% higher. |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 678 mi81st pctl | 384 mi61st pctl | Distance to coastline: Chicago, IL 678 mi; Nashville, TN 384 mi; Chicago is 77% higher. |
| StrategicStrategic location | High Risk | Vulnerable | About the same |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Nashville, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648100th pctl | 684,29899th pctl | Population: Chicago, IL 2,707,648; Nashville, TN 684,298; Chicago is 4.0 times larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 11,88999th pctl | 1,43943rd pctl | Population density (per sq mi): Chicago, IL 11,889; Nashville, TN 1,439; Chicago is 8.3 times higher. |
| Median age | 35.731st pctl | 34.421st pctl | Median age: Chicago, IL 35.7; Nashville, TN 34.4; Chicago is 1.3 years older. |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 43.3%71st pctl | 46.9%76th pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Chicago, IL 43.3%; Nashville, TN 46.9%; Nashville is 3.6 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 2.334th pctl | 2.218th pctl | Average household size: Chicago, IL 2.3; Nashville, TN 2.2; Chicago is 6% larger. |
More about Chicago's residents · Nashville's residents
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
Politics
Information only. Not part of any grade, difference or summary on this page.
Moving between Chicago and Nashville
- Median rent: $1,380 in Chicago, $1,486 in Nashville
- Median home value: $315,200 in Chicago, $383,100 in Nashville
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 116 in Chicago, 131 in Nashville
- Median household income: $75,134 in Chicago, $75,197 in Nashville
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $182,614 in Chicago, $109,411 in Nashville
- Unemployment: 5.3% in Chicago, 2.8% in Nashville
- Average commute: 33.5 min in Chicago, 24.9 min in Nashville
- Violent crime per 100k: 371 in Chicago, 491 in Nashville
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- Data: Cost of living: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
- Data: Jobs & income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
- Data: Safety: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
- Data: Quality of life: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
- Data: Taxes & laws: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
- Data: Strategic location: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
- Data: People: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area.
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
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