Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Joliet, IL (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Joliet

Illinois
88

Nashville is 25% more expensive than Joliet.

$1,486/mo ↑ 20%
Median Rent
$1,237/mo ↓ 17%
$75,197/yr ↓ 15%
Median Income
$88,026/yr ↑ 17%
$383,100 ↑ 54%
Home Value
$248,600 ↓ 35%
$1,471/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,472/mo ≈ Same
684,298
Population
149,785

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.95%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.64%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Joliet, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $249/month cheaper in Joliet, saving renters about $2,988/year.

Median household income is $12,829/year higher in Joliet. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $248,600 in Joliet.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Illinois's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Joliet — common questions

Is Nashville or Joliet cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Joliet is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Joliet?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Joliet it's $1,237/month — a difference of $249/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Joliet?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $88,026 in Joliet. Median household income is $12,829/year higher in Joliet.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Illinois?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Joliet?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Joliet has a cost index of 88 with rent of $1,237/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Joliet details →

More Comparisons

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