City comparison
Nashville vs Boston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Nashville (111.2) and Boston (144.3).
Nashville Index
111.2
Boston Index
144.3
Nashville Rent
$2,450
Boston Rent
$3,775
Nashville Home price
$443,000
Boston Home price
$722,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Nashville to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Boston.
Equivalent salary in Boston
$115,492
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Nashville and Boston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Nashville | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 133 | 198 | +65.0 (+48.9%) |
| Groceries | 100 | 122 | +22.0 (+22.0%) |
| Transportation | 101 | 114 | +13.0 (+12.9%) |
| Healthcare | 97 | 113 | +16.0 (+16.5%) |
| Utilities | 99 | 106 | +7.0 (+7.1%) |
| Miscellaneous | 101 | 121 | +20.0 (+19.8%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,040 / $6,790
Nashville / Boston
Couple
$8,370 / $11,270
Nashville / Boston
Family
$11,790 / $15,890
Nashville / Boston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Nashville city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Nashville.
View Boston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Boston.
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.