Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Arlington, TX (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Arlington

Texas
95

Nashville is 16% more expensive than Arlington.

$1,486/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$1,389/mo ↓ 7%
$75,197/yr ↑ 2%
Median Income
$73,519/yr ↓ 2%
$383,100 ↑ 39%
Home Value
$276,400 ↓ 28%
$1,471/mo ↑ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,420/mo ↓ 3%
684,298
Population
394,769

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.64%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Arlington, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 95 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $97/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $1,164/year.

Median household income is $1,678/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $276,400 in Arlington.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Arlington — common questions

Is Nashville or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Arlington?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Arlington it's $1,389/month — a difference of $97/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Arlington?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $73,519 in Arlington. Median household income is $1,678/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Texas?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 95 with rent of $1,389/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Arlington details →

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