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Moving from Tennessee to Illinois

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge. vs. Chicago global city, second-highest property taxes in US.

TN state flag
Living now

Tennessee

Capital: Nashville

Median household income $67,631 · winter low 30°F · 207 sunny days

Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge.

IL state flag
Moving to

Illinois

Capital: Springfield

Median household income $78,433 · winter low 19°F · 189 sunny days

Chicago global city, second-highest property taxes in US.

Illinois has an overall price level 100.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Tennessee
91.9
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 8.8% higher overall price level
Housing index
Tennessee
79.1
Illinois
93.9
Illinois has 19% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Tennessee
98.0
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 2.1% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Tennessee
98.8
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 1.2% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Tennessee
15.1 ¢/kWh
Illinois
18.9 ¢/kWh
Illinois has 25% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Tennessee
98.4
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 1.6% higher transportation
Median home value
Tennessee
$332,600
Illinois
$280,700
Illinois is 16% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Tennessee
$1,180/mo
Illinois
$1,169/mo
Illinois is 0.9% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 85°F · Winter low 19°F · 189 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Tennessee
89°F
Illinois
85°F
Illinois is 4.5% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Tennessee
30°F
Illinois
19°F
Illinois is 37% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Tennessee
58°F
Illinois
52°F
Illinois is 9.9% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Tennessee
207
Illinois
189
Illinois has 8.7% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Tennessee
54 in
Illinois
40 in
Illinois is 25% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Tennessee
50
Illinois
40
Illinois has 20% lower AQI
Snow / year
Tennessee
5 in
Illinois
19 in
Illinois is 280% more annual snowfall

Get the full TennesseeIllinois report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Illinois than Tennessee?

Illinois's overall price level is roughly 99.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 91.9 for Tennessee — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Tennessee tops out at 0% income tax. Illinois tops out at 4.95%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Illinois?

Most Illinois residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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