($1,205) Movers From Chicago, IL to Nashville, TN

What to know before moving from Chicago to Nashville

Moving from Chicago to Nashville means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Chicago than in Nashville, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Chicago compares to Nashville so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Nashville are 4% lower than in Chicago, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Chicago.
  Home prices in Nashville are 44.9% higher than in Chicago.
• Income in Nashville is 10.4% higher than in Chicago, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Nashville include HCA Healthcare, Access Control Systems, and Bridgestone.
• The cost of living for a single person in Nashville is 14.8% lower than in Chicago. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Nashville is 8.8% lower than in Chicago.
• The unemployment rate in Nashville is 50.00% lower than in Chicago.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Nashville, since the city’s sales taxes in Nashville are 4.88% lower than in Chicago.
• One perk of moving to Nashville is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Chicago.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,555.92 in Nashville to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.

How life is different in Chicago vs. Nashville

• Nashville might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 75% less than Chicago.
• Getting around Nashville without a car might be more difficult than in Chicago. Nashville has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Chicago is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Living in Nashville means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Chicago. Nashville is considered more walkable than Chicago, with a score of 96 out of 100 versus 77 out of 100 in Chicago. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Nashville and Chicago are similarly bike-friendly based on their rating of 72. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• The crime rate in Nashville is higher than in Chicago, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 49.1 in Nashville, it is 35.19 in Chicago. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Nashville than in Chicago, based on Nashville’s safety index of 50.9 versus 33.87 for Chicago. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Nashville and Chicago is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Chicago vs. Nashville move

• Weather: Nashville has humid summers and generally cool winters typical of the Upper South. Spring and fall are prone to severe thunderstorms, which may bring tornadoes, large hail, flash floods, and damaging wind. Be sure to check your weather app before your move to avoid inclement weather.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Tennessee moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Tennessee does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Nashville. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.When it comes to movers' insurance in Tennessee, most moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra charge. This basic coverage extends to 60 cents per pound per item. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Additionally, exploring third-party insurance providers is a viable choice for tailored plans. Prioritize understanding coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Tennessee.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Nashville

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Athens of the South", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Nashville.

Helpful moving resources