Quick answer
Illinois is the lower-cost option on housing: the median home value across the app's top-scoring places is $367,750 versus $446,800. Illinois shows +0.4% population change and Tennessee +2.2%. Neither is "better" for everyone — the right answer depends on your income, job, commute and the exact county you choose.
| Metric | Illinois | Tennessee | Nashville, TN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $367,750 | $446,800 | $383,100 |
| Median rent | $1,592/mo | $1,726/mo | $1,486/mo |
| Household income | $126,782 | $111,424 | $75,197 |
| Population change | +0.4% | +2.2% | +0.0% |
| Violent crime / 100k (state) | 258 | 499 | 499 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.9× | 4.0× | 5.1× |
| State wage income tax | Yes | None | None |
Illinois in numbers
Median home value
$367,750
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,592/mo
Household income
$126,782
Violent crime / 100k
258
Illinois, 2025
Population change
+0.4%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+4.0%
State wage income tax
Yes
Home value ÷ income
2.9×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 81 | $198,800 | $1,004 | $75,449 | -0.1% |
| Plainfield, IL | 81 | $398,000 | $1,889 | $142,265 | +1.7% |
| South Elgin, IL | 80 | $296,100 | $1,619 | $123,744 | +0.6% |
| Oswego, IL | 79 | $319,000 | $1,823 | $119,881 | +1.9% |
| Buffalo Grove, IL | 78 | $392,900 | $2,042 | $129,820 | -0.3% |
| Batavia, IL | 76 | $358,000 | $1,255 | $119,167 | +1.4% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County | 79 | $265,600 | $996 | $101,635 | +0.2% |
| Moultrie County | 75 | $121,500 | $773 | $71,676 | -0.4% |
| Piatt County | 75 | $173,200 | $950 | $87,516 | +0.0% |
| Jo Daviess County | 73 | $193,900 | $795 | $74,954 | -0.1% |
| Carroll County | 72 | $113,500 | $784 | $60,871 | +0.2% |
| Cumberland County | 72 | $117,700 | $756 | $69,826 | -0.7% |
Tennessee in numbers
Median home value
$446,800
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,726/mo
Household income
$111,424
Violent crime / 100k
499
Tennessee, 2025
Population change
+2.2%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+11.0%
State wage income tax
None
Home value ÷ income
4.0×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Hill, TN | 81 | $452,400 | $1,738 | $106,658 | +4.4% |
| Farragut, TN | 79 | $513,100 | $1,691 | $142,402 | +2.2% |
| Mount Juliet, TN | 71 | $423,000 | $1,875 | $107,847 | +3.3% |
| Germantown, TN | 67 | $441,200 | $1,760 | $144,799 | -0.7% |
| Franklin, TN | 66 | $646,300 | $1,861 | $115,000 | +2.3% |
| Brentwood, TN | 63 | $926,700 | $2,497 | $184,720 | +1.0% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loudon County | 78 | $292,600 | $995 | $80,296 | +2.7% |
| Van Buren County | 75 | $149,200 | $705 | $60,281 | +1.8% |
| Williamson County | 75 | $673,700 | $1,895 | $131,202 | +2.3% |
| Sumner County | 72 | $364,000 | $1,339 | $86,005 | +1.9% |
| Wilson County | 72 | $397,000 | $1,370 | $94,048 | +3.0% |
| Maury County | 68 | $307,500 | $1,206 | $74,162 | +2.8% |
Verdict factors to check before you decide
- 1Compare take-home pay after state income tax in both places.
- 2Price the whole address: taxes, insurance, utilities and HOA, not just the listing.
- 3Confirm the exact city, county and school assignment for the address.
- 4Drive the commute at the hours you will actually travel.
- 5Check flood, heat and storm exposure on official maps.
- 6Compare crime at the jurisdiction level, then visit at night.
- 7Line up a job or client base before you sign a lease.
Frequently asked questions
Moving From Illinois to Tennessee in 2027?
Illinois is the lower-cost option on housing: the median home value across the app's top-scoring places is $367,750 versus $446,800. Illinois shows +0.4% population change and Tennessee +2.2%. Neither is "better" for everyone — the right answer depends on your income, job, commute and the exact county you choose.
What are the best places to live in Illinois?
In the Smart Movers Club app, the top-scoring Illinois cities are Bloomington, Plainfield, South Elgin, Oswego, Buffalo Grove, and the top counties are Monroe County, Moultrie County, Piatt County, Jo Daviess County. Scores combine income, housing, growth, employment and education.
Does Illinois have a state income tax?
Yes, Illinois taxes wage income. Check the state revenue department for current rates and compare property and sales taxes too.
Where does this data come from?
Figures come from the Smart Movers Club app, which compiles U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates and FBI state crime rates. Census figures are survey estimates, not live listing prices.
