City comparison
Nashville vs Austin Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Nashville (111.2) and Austin (116.9).
Nashville Index
111.2
Austin Index
116.9
Nashville Rent
$2,450
Austin Rent
$2,675
Nashville Home price
$443,000
Austin Home price
$484,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Nashville to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Austin.
Equivalent salary in Austin
$93,562
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Nashville and Austin.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Nashville | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 133 | 146 | +13.0 (+9.8%) |
| Groceries | 100 | 103 | +3.0 (+3.0%) |
| Transportation | 101 | 102 | +1.0 (+1.0%) |
| Healthcare | 97 | 99 | +2.0 (+2.1%) |
| Utilities | 99 | 98 | -1.0 (-1.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 101 | 104 | +3.0 (+3.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,040 / $5,310
Nashville / Austin
Couple
$8,370 / $8,810
Nashville / Austin
Family
$11,790 / $12,430
Nashville / Austin
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Nashville city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Nashville.
View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
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.