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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Arlington

Virginia
203

Nashville is 46% cheaper than Arlington.

$1,486/mo ↓ 35%
Median Rent
$2,275/mo ↑ 53%
$75,197/yr ↓ 46%
Median Income
$140,160/yr ↑ 86%
$383,100 ↓ 56%
Home Value
$864,800 ↑ 126%
$1,471/mo ↓ 39%
Owner Costs
$2,414/mo ↑ 64%
684,298
Population
235,463

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
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Arlington, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 203 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $789/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $9,468/year.

Median household income is $64,963/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $864,800 in Arlington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Arlington — common questions

Is Nashville or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 203 (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 $2,275/month — a difference of $789/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Arlington?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $140,160 in Arlington. Median household income is $64,963/year higher in Arlington.
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 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 203 with rent of $2,275/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Arlington details →

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