At a Glance

• Tennessee has no state income tax, which is one of the most cited reasons Chicago professionals and families relocate to Nashville.
• Nashville buyers typically get significantly more square footage and land than comparable Chicago budgets allow.
• Both cities share a similar structure: a recognizable downtown core surrounded by neighborhoods, each with their own restaurants, culture, and identity.
• Nashville neighborhoods popular with Chicago transplants include Green Hills, Franklin, Germantown, and 12 South.
• Sheila Gerardy has 13+ years of real estate experience across both Chicago and Nashville and now works with BDG Partners, RealTrends' #1 large real estate team in Tennessee.
• Homes in desirable Nashville neighborhoods can move quickly — understanding the market dynamics before starting your search matters.

Relocating from Chicago to Nashville has become increasingly common as professionals, families, and executives look for a different pace of life, lower taxes, and a rapidly growing Southern city.

But if you are from Chicago, you probably have a few very Chicago questions before making the move.

Things like:

• How different is the housing market?
• Which Nashville neighborhoods feel most like Chicago?
• What does $1M actually buy down here?
• And let's be honest. How's the food situation?

As someone who has lived and worked in both cities, Sheila Gerardy regularly helps buyers navigate the differences between these two markets.

With more than 13 years of real estate experience and hundreds of millions of dollars in residential transactions across Chicago and Nashville, Sheila brings a unique dual-market perspective to relocation clients. Today she is a member of BDG Partners, recognized by RealTrends as the #1 large real estate team in Tennessee.

So if you are considering making the move from Chicago to Nashville, here is the straight story on what to expect.

Why Chicago Buyers Are Moving to Nashville

Over the past decade, Nashville has become one of the fastest growing cities in the country, and more and more Chicago residents have started looking south. And honestly, the reasons are pretty easy to understand.

Taxes

Illinois has one of the higher tax burdens in the country.

Tennessee has no state income tax, which gets a lot of people's attention.

Space

Chicago buyers are often shocked at how much house and land they can get in Nashville.

Lifestyle

Chicago will always be one of the greatest cities in the world. But after years of long winters, dense traffic, and city living, many people start looking for something a little different.

A growing economy

Major companies and healthcare systems continue expanding in Nashville, bringing executives and professionals relocating from across the country.

If you talk to enough Chicago transplants down here, you will hear the same thing. "We came to visit once and suddenly we were house hunting."

How the Real Estate Markets Compare

This is where most Chicago buyers experience their first real surprise. Chicago is known for historic architecture, brick walk-ups and two or three flats, condos and high-rise living, and dense walkable neighborhoods. Nashville offers a very different housing mix.

You will see more new construction homes, larger lots, surrounding communities within 20 to 30 minutes of downtown, and homes with outdoor living spaces. A lot of Chicago buyers who were used to condo living suddenly find themselves looking at houses with four bedrooms, a yard, and a porch.

One thing Chicago and Nashville actually have in common is how the cities are structured. Both cities have a recognizable downtown core and then a collection of neighborhoods that each develop their own personality. In Chicago you might move between neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Old Town, or the West Loop. In Nashville you see a similar pattern with areas like 12 South, Green Hills, The Gulch, Germantown, and East Nashville.

Outside of those urban neighborhoods, both cities also have surrounding communities where many buyers choose to live. In Chicago people usually refer to these as suburbs. Around Nashville you will hear people talk about places like Franklin, which functions similarly even though locals may not always use the word suburb the same way.

Nashville Neighborhoods Chicago Buyers Often Prefer

One of the easiest ways to help Chicago buyers understand Nashville is to compare neighborhoods. Because every Chicagoan has a neighborhood identity. You are not just from Chicago. You are from Lincoln Park, Old Town, West Loop, Lakeview, or River North. Nashville has similar neighborhood personalities. They just look a little different.

Chicago buyers often gravitate toward areas like:

• Green Hills
• Franklin
• Germantown
• 12 South

Some offer walkable charm. Others offer larger homes and quiet streets. Many relocation clients initially visit Nashville thinking they will want to live right downtown. After exploring neighborhoods, they often realize the surrounding communities offer the lifestyle they are really looking for.

Lifestyle Differences Between Chicago and Nashville

Moving from Chicago to Nashville comes with a few lifestyle adjustments. Some of them are pretty great.

Winters

Chicago winters are legendary and not always in a good way. Nashville winters are much milder.

Driving

Chicago has incredible public transportation. Nashville is definitely more car oriented.

Home size

Chicago buyers often gain a lot of square footage when purchasing in Nashville.

Outdoor living

Decks, patios, and backyard entertaining are a much bigger part of everyday life here.

And if we are being honest, a lot of Chicago buyers start to appreciate things like being able to sit outside in February.

Cost of Living Comparison

Another factor relocation buyers consider is the overall cost of living. While home prices can vary depending on neighborhood, many Chicago buyers find Nashville offers advantages in several areas. These often include:

• Lower overall tax burden
• Lower property taxes
• Larger homes for the price

Of course the real comparison depends heavily on lifestyle and neighborhood preferences.

Chicago Food Culture vs Nashville Dining

Now let's talk about something Chicago people take very seriously. Food. One of the first things Chicago clients ask when they are considering Nashville is: "Okay, but tell me the truth. Am I going to miss the food?"

Chicago is one of the best food cities in the world. No debate. But Nashville's restaurant scene has grown tremendously over the last decade.

And here is something that makes the transition easier for Chicago transplants. Several restaurants that started in Chicago have already opened locations here in Nashville. For example:

• Sushi San
• Sunda
• Aba

So if you are worried you will not see any familiar names, do not worry. Some Chicago favorites have already made their way south.

At the same time Nashville has built a food culture of its own around hot chicken, barbecue, Southern cuisine, and chef-driven restaurants across the city. Chicago may win the deep dish argument forever. But Nashville absolutely holds its own when it comes to great restaurants.

Weather Differences to Consider

Weather alone has convinced more than a few Chicago buyers to move south. Chicago winters are known for lake effect snow, freezing winds, and long cold seasons. Nashville winters are much milder. You will still get seasons, but far fewer days scraping ice off the windshield at 6am. For many relocation clients the biggest surprise is simply how much more time they spend outside.

How Chicago Buyers Should Approach Buying a Home in Nashville

If you are moving from Chicago to Nashville, the home buying process can feel familiar in some ways and very different in others. Most Chicago buyers are used to competitive real estate markets, but Nashville has its own dynamics that are helpful to understand before starting your search.

Start with neighborhoods, not just homes. 

Just like Chicago has a downtown core surrounded by neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Old Town, and the West Loop, Nashville also has a central downtown area with smaller neighborhoods and surrounding communities that each have their own personality. Identifying the right neighborhood often matters just as much as choosing the right home.

Expect more new construction

Chicago is known for historic buildings and classic brick architecture. Nashville has experienced significant growth, which means buyers will see more newly built homes and developing communities.

Timing the market matters

Homes in desirable Nashville neighborhoods can move quickly. Having a clear strategy before starting your search can make the process much smoother.

Work with someone who knows both markets

Sheila Gerardy has lived and sold real estate in both Chicago and Nashville and has more than 13 years of experience representing buyers and sellers across the two markets. Over the course of her career she has participated in the sale of hundreds of millions of dollars in residential real estate and now works with relocation clients throughout Middle Tennessee as part of BDG Partners. For Chicago buyers considering Nashville, that dual-market perspective can make the transition significantly easier.

Chicago to Nashville Relocation FAQs

Is Nashville cheaper than Chicago?

Many relocation buyers find Nashville offers advantages such as no state income tax, lower property taxes, and larger homes compared with similar budgets in Chicago.

What Nashville neighborhoods do Chicago buyers usually like?

Chicago buyers often gravitate toward areas like Green Hills, Franklin, Germantown, and 12 South because they offer strong local identity, great restaurants, and established communities.

What is the biggest difference between Chicago and Nashville real estate?

Chicago is known for historic buildings, high-rise condos, and classic brick walk-ups. Nashville offers more single-family homes, new construction, and larger properties.

Do many people relocate from Chicago to Nashville?

Yes. Nashville has become a popular destination for professionals, families, and executives relocating from Chicago and other major cities.

Is Nashville structured like Chicago?

In some ways yes. Both cities have a recognizable downtown surrounded by neighborhoods with their own culture, restaurants, and personality, along with surrounding communities that function similarly to suburbs.