City comparison
Chicago vs Nashville Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Chicago (113.6) and Nashville (111.2).
Chicago Index
113.6
Nashville Index
111.2
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Nashville Rent
$2,450
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Nashville Home price
$443,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Chicago to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Nashville.
Equivalent salary in Nashville
$89,077
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Chicago and Nashville.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Chicago | Nashville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 128 | 133 | +5.0 (+3.9%) |
| Groceries | 106 | 100 | -6.0 (-5.7%) |
| Transportation | 112 | 101 | -11.0 (-9.8%) |
| Healthcare | 104 | 97 | -7.0 (-6.7%) |
| Utilities | 101 | 99 | -2.0 (-2.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 105 | 101 | -4.0 (-3.8%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,130 / $5,040
Chicago / Nashville
Couple
$8,520 / $8,370
Chicago / Nashville
Family
$12,000 / $11,790
Chicago / Nashville
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Chicago city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Chicago.
View Nashville city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Nashville.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.