Nashville vs Austin: Cost of Living Comparison
Nashville and Austin are the two music cities of America, and both have evolved into major tech and healthcare hubs drawing transplants from the coasts. Neither Tennessee nor Texas levies a state income tax, so the comparison comes down to housing, groceries, and lifestyle costs. Nashville tends to offer slightly lower rents while Austin edges ahead in tech salaries, making the net financial picture surprisingly close for many professionals.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Nashville | Austin | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Index | 121 | 123 | Nashville |
| Housing | 147 | 151 | Nashville |
| Groceries | 97 | 97 | Tie |
| Transportation | 101 | 103 | Nashville |
| Utilities | 96 | 101 | Nashville |
Index values relative to national average of 100. Lower is cheaper.
Visual Cost Comparison
Overall Index
Housing
Groceries
Transportation
Utilities
Green bars indicate the more affordable city in each category. National average = 100.
Salary Equivalent: Nashville vs Austin
To maintain the same standard of living, here's what salaries earned in Nashville are worth in Austin -- and vice versa.
| Salary in Nashville | Equivalent in Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,826 | +$826 |
| $75,000 | $76,240 | +$1,240 |
| $100,000 | $101,653 | +$1,653 |
| $150,000 | $152,479 | +$2,479 |
Austin is more expensive, so you need more income to maintain your standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Housing (Nashville wins): Housing is 3% cheaper in Nashville than Austin. Austin has a housing index of 151 vs 147. This is typically the largest expense category and drives most of the overall cost difference.
Groceries (Tie): Grocery costs in Nashville (index 97) are equal to Austin (index 97). Both cities are at or below the national average for groceries.
Transportation (Nashville wins): Transportation costs index 101 in Nashville vs 103 in Austin. This includes gas prices, car insurance, public transit fares, and vehicle maintenance. The difference is modest and unlikely to significantly impact your budget.
Utilities (Nashville wins): Utilities cost less in Nashville (index 96) than Austin (index 101). This covers electricity, natural gas, water, sewage, internet, and phone service. Climate plays a significant role -- cities with extreme temperatures tend to have higher utility costs.
Planning a Move from Nashville to Austin?
Cost of living is just one piece of the puzzle. Use our free calculator to estimate your total moving costs -- movers or truck, flights, housing deposits, storage, and everything in between.
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FAQ -- Nashville vs Austin Cost of Living
Is Nashville or Austin more expensive to live in?
Austin is more expensive overall, with a cost of living index of 123 compared to 121 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is in housing, where Austin costs 4 index points more.
How much more expensive is housing in Austin vs Nashville?
Housing in Austin has an index of 151 compared to 147 in Nashville. That's 3% more expensive. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.
What is a $100,000 salary in Nashville worth in Austin?
A $100,000 salary in Nashville is equivalent to approximately $101,653 in Austin. This means you would need to earn more in Austin to maintain the same standard of living.
Are groceries cheaper in Nashville or Austin?
Groceries are cheaper in Austin, with an index of 97 compared to 97 in Nashville. The national average is 100, so both cities are below the national average.
Should I move from Nashville to Austin to save money?
Austin is actually more expensive than Nashville overall, with an index 2 points higher. However, consider your specific situation -- salary differences between markets, state income taxes, and lifestyle preferences all factor in. Use our free calculator to estimate total relocation costs.