Quick answer
Nashville is 10% cheaper than Austin overall. A $100K salary in Austin is equivalent to $90,000 in Nashville.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Austin 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 10% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-8% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$90,000
Austin 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
$548K
$445K
-19%
Avg monthly groceries
$380
$355
-7%
Avg monthly utilities
$175
$160
-9%
State income tax
None
None
—
Walk score
41/100
28/100
Austin better
Transit score
34/100
22/100
Austin better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Nashville to maintain the same standard of living as your current Austin salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$54,000
$67,000
$80,000
$72,000
$89,000
$100,000
$90,000
$111,000
$120,000
$108,000
$134,000
$150,000
$135,000
$167,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Austin vs Nashville
Who Each City Is Best For
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
Nashville is best for
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓music industry professionals
- ✓entrepreneurs
- ✓young professionals
FAQs
Is Austin or Nashville cheaper to live in?
Nashville is 10% cheaper than Austin overall. Nashville 1BR rent ($1,520/mo) vs Austin ($1,650/mo). Median home price: Nashville $445K vs Austin $548K.
How much salary do I need in Nashville to match $100K in Austin?
$90,000 in Nashville is equivalent to $100,000 in Austin based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-8% difference) and state taxes (Austin: None vs Nashville: None).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Nashville?
1BR: Austin $1,650/mo vs Nashville $1,520/mo (-8%). 2BR: Austin $2,100/mo vs Nashville $1,950/mo (-7%).
Does Austin or Nashville have lower taxes?
Austin (TX) has None state income tax. Nashville (TN) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.