Austin vs Nashville: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Austin, TX and Nashville, TN. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
Austin
Texas
Cost Index98.1
Median Rent$1,729/mo
Median Income$94K
State TaxNone
Below Average
City B
Nashville
Tennessee
Cost Index96.3
Median Rent$1,586/mo
Median Income$77K
State TaxNone
Below Average
Better value overall
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in Nashville to match your lifestyle in Austin?
$80,000
Austin
$80,000
Cost Index: 98.1
Nashville
$78,590
Cost Index: 96.3
You need $1,410 less in Nashville to maintain the same lifestyle.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index scores where 100 = national average. Green highlights the city with the advantage.
Overall Cost Index-1.8%
Austin98.1
Nashville96.3
Median Rent-8.3%
Austin$2K
Nashville$2K
Median Income-17.4%
Austin$94K
Nashville$77K
Grocery Index~equal
Austin100.0
Nashville100.0
Utilities Index~equal
Austin100.0
Nashville100.0
Transportation~equal
Austin100.0
Nashville100.0
Healthcare~equal
Austin100.0
Nashville100.0
State Tax Rate~equal
AustinNone
NashvilleNone
Side-by-Side Chart
Austin: Pros & Cons
Higher median income ($94K)
2% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $1,729/mo vs $1,586/mo
Nashville: Pros & Cons
2% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $1,586/mo vs $1,729/mo
Lower unemployment (2.9%)
Austin vs Nashville – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Austin and Nashville.
Austin has a cost of living index of 98.1, while Nashville scores 96.3. Austin is approximately -1.8% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in Austin is $1,729/month compared to $1,586/month in Nashville — a difference of 8%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 98% of your Austin salary to maintain the same standard of living in Nashville. For example, a $75,000 salary in Austin would need to be about $73,678 in Nashville. Use the salary slider above to calculate your specific equivalent.
The cost of living index is calculated using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), US Census Bureau (median incomes and home values), HUD (Fair Market Rents), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (consumer price data). A score of 100 represents the national average. Scores above 100 indicate higher-than-average costs, while scores below 100 are more affordable.
Austin has a median household income of $93,658 with an unemployment rate of 3.2%. Nashville has a median household income of $77,371 with an unemployment rate of 2.9%. While income is higher in Austin, remember to factor in cost of living when comparing real purchasing power.
Beyond cost of living, consider: (1) state income tax differences — some states have no income tax; (2) housing market trends and whether to rent or buy; (3) job market strength in your industry; (4) healthcare costs and access; (5) climate and lifestyle preferences; (6) commute times and transportation options; and (7) proximity to family. Our comparison tool covers the financial factors, but quality of life matters too.