Quick answer
Nashville is 40% cheaper than Atlanta overall. A $100K salary in Atlanta is equivalent to $60,000 in Nashville.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Atlanta vs Nashville Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Nashville is 40% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-8% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$60,000
Atlanta vs Nashville: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,650/mo
$1,520/mo
-8%
2BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$1,950/mo
-7%
Median home price
$385K
$445K
+16%
Avg monthly groceries
$360
$355
-1%
Avg monthly utilities
$165
$160
-3%
State income tax
5.49%
None
Nashville saves
Walk score
48/100
28/100
Atlanta better
Transit score
42/100
22/100
Atlanta better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Nashville to maintain the same standard of living as your current Atlanta salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$36,000
$100,000
$80,000
$48,000
$133,000
$100,000
$60,000
$166,000
$120,000
$72,000
$200,000
$150,000
$90,000
$249,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Atlanta vs Nashville
Who Each City Is Best For
Atlanta is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓film industry professionals
- ✓logistics professionals
- ✓Southern culture enthusiasts
Nashville is best for
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓music industry professionals
- ✓entrepreneurs
- ✓young professionals
FAQs
Is Atlanta or Nashville cheaper to live in?
Nashville is 40% cheaper than Atlanta overall. Nashville 1BR rent ($1,520/mo) vs Atlanta ($1,650/mo). Median home price: Nashville $445K vs Atlanta $385K.
How much salary do I need in Nashville to match $100K in Atlanta?
$60,000 in Nashville is equivalent to $100,000 in Atlanta based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-8% difference) and state taxes (Atlanta: 5.49% vs Nashville: None).
What is the rent difference between Atlanta and Nashville?
1BR: Atlanta $1,650/mo vs Nashville $1,520/mo (-8%). 2BR: Atlanta $2,100/mo vs Nashville $1,950/mo (-7%).
Does Atlanta or Nashville have lower taxes?
Atlanta (GA) has 5.49% state income tax. Nashville (TN) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$5,490.