Quick answer
Nashville is 50% cheaper than Minneapolis overall. A $100K salary in Minneapolis is equivalent to $50,000 in Nashville.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Minneapolis 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 50% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+10% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$50,000
Minneapolis vs Nashville: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,380/mo
$1,520/mo
+10%
2BR median rent
$1,750/mo
$1,950/mo
+11%
Median home price
$320K
$445K
+39%
Avg monthly groceries
$360
$355
-1%
Avg monthly utilities
$155
$160
+3%
State income tax
Up to 9.85%
None
Nashville saves
Walk score
69/100
28/100
Minneapolis better
Transit score
55/100
22/100
Minneapolis better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Nashville to maintain the same standard of living as your current Minneapolis salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$30,000
$120,000
$80,000
$40,000
$161,000
$100,000
$50,000
$201,000
$120,000
$60,000
$241,000
$150,000
$75,000
$301,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Minneapolis vs Nashville
Who Each City Is Best For
Minneapolis is best for
- ✓corporate professionals
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts (winter sports)
- ✓arts and culture seekers
Nashville is best for
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓music industry professionals
- ✓entrepreneurs
- ✓young professionals
FAQs
Is Minneapolis or Nashville cheaper to live in?
Nashville is 50% cheaper than Minneapolis overall. Nashville 1BR rent ($1,520/mo) vs Minneapolis ($1,380/mo). Median home price: Nashville $445K vs Minneapolis $320K.
How much salary do I need in Nashville to match $100K in Minneapolis?
$50,000 in Nashville is equivalent to $100,000 in Minneapolis based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+10% difference) and state taxes (Minneapolis: Up to 9.85% vs Nashville: None).
What is the rent difference between Minneapolis and Nashville?
1BR: Minneapolis $1,380/mo vs Nashville $1,520/mo (+10%). 2BR: Minneapolis $1,750/mo vs Nashville $1,950/mo (+11%).
Does Minneapolis or Nashville have lower taxes?
Minneapolis (MN) has Up to 9.85% state income tax. Nashville (TN) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$9,850.