Quick answer
Nashville is 11% cheaper than Austin overall. A $100K salary in Nashville is equivalent to $111,000 in Austin.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Nashville vs Austin 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 11% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+9% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$111,000
Nashville vs Austin: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,520/mo
$1,650/mo
+9%
2BR median rent
$1,950/mo
$2,100/mo
+8%
Median home price
$445K
$548K
+23%
Avg monthly groceries
$355
$380
+7%
Avg monthly utilities
$160
$175
+9%
State income tax
None
None
—
Walk score
28/100
41/100
Austin better
Transit score
22/100
34/100
Austin better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Austin to maintain the same standard of living as your current Nashville salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$67,000
$54,000
$80,000
$89,000
$72,000
$100,000
$111,000
$90,000
$120,000
$134,000
$108,000
$150,000
$167,000
$135,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Nashville vs Austin
Who Each City Is Best For
Nashville is best for
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓music industry professionals
- ✓entrepreneurs
- ✓young professionals
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
FAQs
Is Nashville or Austin cheaper to live in?
Nashville is 11% 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 Austin to match $100K in Nashville?
$111,000 in Austin is equivalent to $100,000 in Nashville based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+9% difference) and state taxes (Nashville: None vs Austin: None).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Austin?
1BR: Nashville $1,520/mo vs Austin $1,650/mo (+9%). 2BR: Nashville $1,950/mo vs Austin $2,100/mo (+8%).
Does Nashville or Austin have lower taxes?
Nashville (TN) has None state income tax. Austin (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.