Chicago, IL, and Metropolitan Government, TN, (commonly referred to as Nashville), are two significant urban centers in the United States, each offering distinct lifestyles. Chicago, known as "The Windy City," is famed for its diverse architecture, rich history, and vibrant sports culture. Nashville, on the other hand, is widely known as "Music City," laced with a rich musical heritage and a thriving healthcare industry. This comparison aims to provide insights from crime rates to cultural diversity, offering a comprehensive picture of what living in or visiting these cities involves.
Chicago has a reputation for higher crime rates compared to the national average, which can be partly attributed to the city's size. However, crime is not evenly spread and is largely concentrated in certain neighborhoods. Nashville's crime rate is on par with the national average. Both cities have been investing in safety measures and policing, and in both cases, tourists and residents usually feel safe in most areas.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Chicago is higher than the U.S average, especially when it comes to housing and property taxes. In contrast, Nashville has a lower overall cost of living, driven by factors such as affordable housing and lower taxation levels, making it attractive for relocation.
Income Tax
Chicago residents pay Illinois's state income tax at a flat rate of 4.95%. In contrast, Tennessee does not levy a state income tax, offering fiscal saving opportunities for Nashville residents.
Property Tax
Property tax in Chicago is notably high, contributing to its higher overall cost of living. Nashville's property tax is lower compared to Chicago, furthering the cost-saving aspect of relocation.
Sales Tax
Sales tax is higher in Chicago, with a combined city and state sales tax rate of 10.25%. Nashville's total sales tax sits at 9.75%.
Income
Type
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Estimated median household income
$66,576
$65,348
Estimated per capita income
$43,217
$43,994
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
104.8
97.9
If you make $50,000 in Metropolitan Government, you will have to make $53,524 in Chicago to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Chicago lies along Lake Michigan, featuring sandy beaches and a picturesque skyline. Nashville, landlocked, is characterized by a hilly landscape, known for lush greenery and the Cumberland River running through the city.
Geographical information
Type
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Land area
227.1 sq. miles
502.3 sq. miles
Population density
11,872 people per sq. mile
1,236.2 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Chicago, IL Metropolitan Government, TN
Education
Chicago is home to an array of quality educational institutions, including renowned universities like the University of Chicago and Northwestern University. Nashville, while smaller, houses noteworthy institutes like Vanderbilt University. Both offer a range of excellent public and private schooling options.
Chicago has a diversified economy with strength in sectors such as finance, publishing, and food processing. Nashville's economy is more concentrated, with a strong focus on healthcare, music, and tourism industries. Both cities offer ample job opportunities.
Biggest Employers
In Chicago, major employers include J.P Morgan Chase, Walgreens, and United Airlines. In Nashville, the healthcare industry dominates, with Vanderbilt University Medical Center and HCA Healthcare providing many jobs.
In Chicago (Cook County), 74.0% voted for Democrats and 24.6% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Metropolitan Government (Davidson County), 58.5% voted for Democrats and 39.9% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
2020
74.6%
65.0%
24.1%
32.6%
1.3%
2.3%
2016
74.4%
60.1%
20.9%
34.1%
4.7%
5.7%
2012
74.0%
58.5%
24.6%
39.9%
1.4%
1.6%
2008
76.4%
60.0%
22.9%
39.0%
0.7%
1.0%
2004
70.3%
54.9%
29.2%
44.6%
0.6%
0.4%
2000
69.0%
57.9%
28.8%
40.4%
2.3%
1.7%
1996
66.8%
79.3%
26.7%
18.1%
6.5%
2.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
CATHOLIC CHURCH
37.5%
4.9%
11.1%
2.3%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.9%
0.8%
1.8%
1.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
0.2%
4.3%
0.8%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.0%
14.1%
5.4%
19.6%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.9%
0.3%
3.6%
0.9%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.4%
0.1%
1.6%
0.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
1.5%
1.8%
1.8%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
1.1%
1.9%
1.7%
COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
0.0%
1.0%
0.0%
0.5%
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
0.0%
0.4%
0.1%
1.3%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.0%
0.8%
0.5%
0.9%
Weather
Weather in Chicago and Nashville differs significantly. Chicago experiences a full range of seasons, with cold, often snowy winters and hot, humid summers. On the other hand, Nashville experiences a more moderate climate with milder winters and longer, hot, humid summers.
Weather and climate
Type
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Temperature - Average
50.3°F
58.4°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.6%
75.9%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
31%
38%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
85%
89%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
54%
51%
Precipitation - Yearly average
37.8 in
49 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
77.6 in
17.8 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
14%
17.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
56.8%
59.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
33%
23%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
68%
65%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
35%
42%
Wind speed - Average
10.7 mph
7.7 mph
Average climate in Chicago, Illinois
Average climate in Metropolitan Government, Tennessee
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
2018
97
71
0.26
0.40
14.3
13.8
26.2
24.1
N/A
N/A
23.6
15.2
9.3
9.2
1.7
0.2
2017
95
70
0.25
0.38
14.3
14.4
26.4
26.8
N/A
N/A
25.1
15.3
8.7
8.7
1.4
0.1
2016
95
90
0.21
0.42
14.9
16.1
26.5
26.4
N/A
N/A
17.3
N/A
9.1
10.1
0.8
0.0
2015
92
68
0.51
0.43
15.0
15.5
25.4
23.6
N/A
N/A
23.3
N/A
10.5
10.8
0.9
0.1
2014
101
66
0.45
N/A
18.0
N/A
25.1
26.3
N/A
N/A
28.9
N/A
10.7
9.8
1.3
1.4
2013
100
62
0.37
N/A
18.3
N/A
23.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
30.3
N/A
11.1
9.7
1.0
N/A
2012
112
81
0.36
N/A
18.8
N/A
25.7
28.3
N/A
N/A
31.3
N/A
12.1
11.0
1.7
2.3
2011
101
81
0.38
N/A
18.6
N/A
24.8
25.9
N/A
N/A
21.9
N/A
12.8
11.0
2.4
1.7
2010
103
80
0.37
N/A
20.4
N/A
25.4
24.3
N/A
N/A
22.2
N/A
12.9
12.2
1.4
2.2
2009
106
72
0.29
N/A
20.0
N/A
22.4
22.5
0.025
N/A
20.1
N/A
12.9
11.5
1.4
2.4
2008
108
81
0.32
N/A
22.8
N/A
22.8
25.7
0.026
N/A
22.7
N/A
12.5
13.4
1.8
2.5
2007
125
99
0.34
N/A
23.6
N/A
23.9
27.4
0.027
N/A
25.9
N/A
13.1
15.5
2.2
2.7
2006
95
93
0.31
0.69
23.0
N/A
21.1
24.9
0.029
N/A
22.0
N/A
N/A
14.9
2.6
2.9
2005
110
104
0.55
0.56
23.5
N/A
23.3
23.5
0.027
N/A
26.2
N/A
N/A
16.9
3.3
3.1
2004
85
83
0.83
0.61
23.9
N/A
20.3
22.0
0.032
0.006
23.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.1
2.6
2003
99
93
0.69
0.67
25.1
N/A
20.0
18.5
0.030
0.005
23.3
N/A
N/A
15.8
3.1
3.8
2002
114
92
0.83
0.68
26.5
N/A
20.8
20.2
0.029
N/A
24.4
N/A
N/A
15.3
3.3
4.3
2001
107
95
0.83
0.90
27.3
N/A
19.2
19.5
0.031
N/A
28.5
N/A
N/A
15.6
4.3
4.5
2000
104
97
0.88
0.75
24.8
N/A
17.6
19.8
0.046
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.2
4.1
Natural disasters
Type
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
145.8%
169%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
136.9%
296.3%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
20%
17%
Transportation
Public transportation in Chicago, managed by Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), is efficient and far-reaching. Nashville, on the other hand, with a less extensive public transit system, is more car-dependent.
Transport
Type
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
1
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
12
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Bicycle
1.6%
0.1%
Bus
8%
1.6%
Carpooled
8.3%
13.3%
Car alone
62.3%
78.6%
Railroad
0.2%
0%
Streetcar
6.8%
0%
Subway
3.5%
0%
Taxicab
0.8%
0.1%
Walked
5.9%
2.3%
Average travel time to work
Type
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Average
36.9 min
23.7 min
Real Estate
Real Estate in Chicago leans towards the expensive side, especially around the downtown area. Nashville is seen as more affordable, with a rising market that caters to a range of budgets.
Neighborhoods
Chicago's neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and The Loop are rich in history and cultural diversity. Nashville's neighborhoods like East Nashville and The Gulch offer a vibrant mix of music venues, food scenes, and boutique shops.
Houses and residents
Type
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
Houses
1,272,191
252,977
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.3
Houses occupied
1,139,537 (89.6%)
237,405 (93.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
530,977 (46.6%)
131,384 (55.3%)
Houses occupied by renters
608,560 (53.4%)
106,021 (44.7%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,546
$1,207
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$355,671
$226,967
Estimated median house or condo value
$297,300
$350,700
Median number of rooms in apartments
4
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.8
6.4
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
5,601.1
503.7
Household income disparities
48.4%
45.5%
Housing units without a mortgage
6,624 (1.9%)
32,597 (28.1%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
17,661 (5.1%)
342 (0.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
339,523 (98.1%)
83,416 (71.9%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
808 (0.2%)
8,009 (6.9%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
25,416 (7.3%)
9,691 (8.4%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2.5%
0.7%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
67,964
20,090
State government workers
41,316
13,081
Unpaid family workers
4,164
668
Industries and Occupations
Chicago's economy is well-diversified, with key industries including finance, manufacturing, and information technology. In contrast, Nashville's economy is buoyed by healthcare, music, education, and a burgeoning tech scene.
Both cities host globally recognized healthcare systems. Chicago houses establishments like Rush University Medical Center and Northwestern Memorial. Nashville, a healthcare industry hub, boasts renowned healthcare providers like Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Saint Thomas Health.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Chicago's distinctive skyline showcases its architectural prowess. Its infrastructure is robust, including O'Hare International Airport, one of the busiest airports globally. Nashville, while smaller, also offers noteworthy infrastructure like the Nashville International Airport and well-equipped music recording studios.
Infrastructure
Type
Chicago
Metropolitan Government
TV stations
22
19
Culture and Food
Culturally, both cities are unique. Chicago's food, arts, and sports are as diverse as its population, with its deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs being iconic. Nashville is steeped in music history, known globally for its country music scene; its food scene, notably its Nashville-style hot chicken, is also commendable.
Sports Teams
Chicago is home to famed franchises like the Chicago Cubs (MLB), Bears (NFL), Bulls (NBA), and the Blackhawks (NHL). Nashville hosts the Tennessee Titans (NFL) and Nashville Predators (NHL) and a burgeoning soccer scene with Nashville SC (MLS).
Chicago, IL
Metropolitan Government, TN
