Nashville wins overall by ~8% (COL index)
Cost of living: Nashville vs Austin (2026)
A $68,500 salary in Nashville buys roughly what $74,616 does in Austin (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$1,036/yr
Favoring Nashville for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $86/mo in Nashville, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Nashville Tennessee | Austin Texas | Who wins | Your impact at $69K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500Better | $1,500 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,800Better | $1,800 | — | — |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,400Better | $2,400 | — | — |
| Median home price | $420KWins | $480K | Nashville wins +$60K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96Better | 98 | Nashville wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14Better | $14 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60Better | $60 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $70 | $50Wins | Austin wins −$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Austin |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.10 | Nashville wins +$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $160Better | $175 | Nashville wins +$15/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $170Better | $170 | — | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $65 | Nashville wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $65K | $72KBetter | Austin wins +$7K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 9.8% | 8.3%Wins | Austin wins -1.5 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Better | $40 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Better | $7.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 112Better | 122 | Nashville wins +10 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 29 | 42Wins | Austin wins +13 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Nashville fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Nashville.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Nashville cheaper than Austin?
Yes. Nashville is 8% cheaper than Austin based on overall cost of living indices (112 vs 122, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Nashville vs Austin?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Nashville is $1,800/month and in Austin is $1,800/month. Nashville is more expensive by 0%.
How much do I need to earn in Austin to match a $75,000 salary in Nashville?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $81,696/year in Austin to match a $75,000 salary in Nashville. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Nashville or Austin?
Austin has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Austin has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Nashville to Austin?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Nashville ↔ Austin
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