Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Albuquerque, NM (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Albuquerque

New Mexico
80

Nashville is 38% more expensive than Albuquerque.

$1,486/mo ↑ 37%
Median Rent
$1,085/mo ↓ 27%
$75,197/yr ↑ 15%
Median Income
$65,604/yr ↓ 13%
$383,100 ↑ 44%
Home Value
$266,700 ↓ 30%
$1,471/mo ↑ 28%
Owner Costs
$1,149/mo ↓ 22%
684,298
Population
562,488

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.9%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Albuquerque, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 80 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $401/month cheaper in Albuquerque, saving renters about $4,812/year.

Median household income is $9,593/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $266,700 in Albuquerque.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over New Mexico's 5.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Albuquerque — common questions

Is Nashville or Albuquerque cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Albuquerque is cheaper to live in with an index of 80 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Albuquerque?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Albuquerque it's $1,085/month — a difference of $401/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Albuquerque?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $65,604 in Albuquerque. Median household income is $9,593/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and New Mexico?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. New Mexico has 5.9% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Albuquerque?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Albuquerque has a cost index of 80 with rent of $1,085/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Albuquerque details →

More Comparisons

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