Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Alexandria, VA (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

Nashville is 36% cheaper than Alexandria.

$1,486/mo ↓ 27%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↑ 37%
$75,197/yr ↓ 34%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↑ 51%
$383,100 ↓ 45%
Home Value
$696,800 ↑ 82%
$1,471/mo ↓ 32%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↑ 48%
684,298
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.75%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $545/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $6,540/year.

Median household income is $38,441/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Alexandria — common questions

Is Nashville or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Alexandria?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $545/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Alexandria?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $38,441/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Virginia?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with rent of $2,031/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Alexandria details →

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