Nashville vs Louisville: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Nashville, TN and Louisville, KY. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
Nashville
Tennessee
Cost Index96.3
Median Rent$1,586/mo
Median Income$77K
State TaxNone
Below Average
City B
Louisville
Kentucky
Cost Index93.1
Median Rent$1,120/mo
Median Income$67K
State Tax4.5%
Below Average
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in Louisville to match your lifestyle in Nashville?
$80,000
Nashville
$80,000
Cost Index: 96.3
Louisville
$77,290
Cost Index: 93.1
You need $2,710 less in Louisville 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-3.4%
Nashville96.3
Louisville93.1
Median Rent-29.4%
Nashville$2K
Louisville$1K
Median Income-13.6%
Nashville$77K
Louisville$67K
Grocery Index~equal
Nashville100.0
Louisville100.0
Utilities Index~equal
Nashville100.0
Louisville100.0
Transportation~equal
Nashville100.0
Louisville100.0
Healthcare~equal
Nashville100.0
Louisville100.0
State Tax Rate+45000.0%
NashvilleNone
Louisville4.50%
Side-by-Side Chart
Nashville: Pros & Cons
Higher median income ($77K)
Lower state income tax (none)
Lower unemployment (2.9%)
3% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $1,586/mo vs $1,120/mo
Louisville: Pros & Cons
3% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $1,120/mo vs $1,586/mo
Higher state income tax (4.5%)
Nashville vs Louisville – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Nashville and Louisville.
Nashville has a cost of living index of 96.3, while Louisville scores 93.1. Nashville is approximately -3.4% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in Nashville is $1,586/month compared to $1,120/month in Louisville — a difference of 29%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 97% of your Nashville salary to maintain the same standard of living in Louisville. For example, a $75,000 salary in Nashville would need to be about $72,459 in Louisville. 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.
Nashville has a median household income of $77,371 with an unemployment rate of 2.9%. Louisville has a median household income of $66,849 with an unemployment rate of 3.1%. While income is higher in Nashville, 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.