City comparison
Nashville vs Houston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Nashville (111.2) and Houston (105.8).
Nashville Index
111.2
Houston Index
105.8
Nashville Rent
$2,450
Houston Rent
$2,175
Nashville Home price
$443,000
Houston Home price
$390,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Nashville to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Houston.
Equivalent salary in Houston
$84,678
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Nashville and Houston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Nashville | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 133 | 118 | -15.0 (-11.3%) |
| Groceries | 100 | 97 | -3.0 (-3.0%) |
| Transportation | 101 | 104 | +3.0 (+3.0%) |
| Healthcare | 97 | 96 | -1.0 (-1.0%) |
| Utilities | 99 | 101 | +2.0 (+2.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 101 | 99 | -2.0 (-2.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,040 / $4,740
Nashville / Houston
Couple
$8,370 / $7,870
Nashville / Houston
Family
$11,790 / $11,090
Nashville / Houston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Nashville city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Nashville.
View Houston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Houston.
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.