City comparison
Austin vs Nashville Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Austin (116.9) and Nashville (111.2).
Austin Index
116.9
Nashville Index
111.2
Austin Rent
$2,675
Nashville Rent
$2,450
Austin Home price
$484,000
Nashville Home price
$443,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Austin to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Nashville.
Equivalent salary in Nashville
$89,417
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Austin and Nashville.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Austin | Nashville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 146 | 133 | -13.0 (-8.9%) |
| Groceries | 103 | 100 | -3.0 (-2.9%) |
| Transportation | 102 | 101 | -1.0 (-1.0%) |
| Healthcare | 99 | 97 | -2.0 (-2.0%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 99 | +1.0 (+1.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 104 | 101 | -3.0 (-2.9%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,310 / $5,040
Austin / Nashville
Couple
$8,810 / $8,370
Austin / Nashville
Family
$12,430 / $11,790
Austin / Nashville
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
View Nashville city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Nashville.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.