Moving from Chicago, IL, to Nashville, TN

Making your way in a smaller “Music City” 

A drive from Chicago, IL, to Nashville, TN, is just under 500 miles. Moving from “the Windy City” to “Music City” means adjusting to some differences in population right away.  

Nashville is the 21st-most populous city in the U.S., with 715,884 residents and over 2 million in the metro. As the 3rd-largest city in the U.S., Chicago is much larger, with 2.7 million residents and 9.6 million in the metro.  

Smaller-town vibes don’t necessarily mean fewer opportunities, so keep reading to learn more about life in Nashville. 

Southern weather differences in Tennessee

Nashville has around 205 sunny days per year, compared to only 189 in Chicago. This makes it perfect for enjoying all the city has to offer, especially during the mild spring and fall seasons. 

Both cities have warm summers, with highs in the 80s, though Nashville tops out closer to 90 degrees. You’ll also notice a bit more rain in Nashville, with an average of 49 inches, compared to around 38 inches in Chicago.  

Nashville's winters are cold, with average lows around 27 degrees and around 4 inches of snow each year. This is quite the contrast to Chicago's average snowfall of 35 inches per year, with lows of 19 degrees.  

Things to do and see

If you love country music, Nashville has a ton of historical places to visit celebrating the genre, like the Bluebird Café, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry and the Johnny Cash Museum. But Nashville has more than just music. Check out some of these other attractions, too:  

  • Arrington Vineyards 
  • Centennial Park (and The Parthenon) 
  • Frist Art Museum 
  • Garden Conservatory at the Gaylord Opryland 
  • Tennessee State Museum 

Working in Nashville

Nashville and the surrounding areas draw many people who seek work in the music industry—especially country music, which the city is known for. It’s also a large healthcare hub in the South, with Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA Healthcare and Ascension Saint Thomas. 

Other opportunities include the automotive industry, business, education and tourism. 

Move to Tennessee the easy way with U-Pack

U-Pack® is the easy way to move from Chicago to Nashville through our nationwide network of service centers. We have extensive experience to handle the driving, so you can focus on packing, loading and unloading.  

Request your free, no-obligation online quote today or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant. We’re here to help!