Cost of Living: Chicago vs Nashville (2026)

Chicago vs Nashville cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Nashville is about 7% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $92,995 in Nashville.

Nashville is about 7% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $92,995 in Nashville.

Chicago vs Nashville: the numbers

MetricChicagoNashvilleDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10496-7%
Median rent$1,380$1,486+8%
Median home value$315,200$383,100+22%
Median household income$75,134$75,197+0%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Chicago has the same buying power as about $92,995 in Nashville. Going the other way, $100,000 in Nashville is like $107,533 in Chicago.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Chicago and Nashville.

Compare any salary: Chicago vs Nashville

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 104 vs 96 — a 7% difference. Your money goes further in Nashville.

About $92,995 — that's what you'd need in Nashville to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago.