Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Athens, GA (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Athens

Georgia
83

Nashville is 33% more expensive than Athens.

$1,486/mo ↑ 28%
Median Rent
$1,162/mo ↓ 22%
$75,197/yr ↑ 46%
Median Income
$51,655/yr ↓ 31%
$383,100 ↑ 41%
Home Value
$271,800 ↓ 29%
$1,471/mo ↑ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,163/mo ↓ 21%
684,298
Population
126,987

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.49%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Athens, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $324/month cheaper in Athens, saving renters about $3,888/year.

Median household income is $23,542/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $271,800 in Athens.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Georgia's 5.49% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Athens — common questions

Is Nashville or Athens cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Athens is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Athens?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Athens it's $1,162/month — a difference of $324/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Athens?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $51,655 in Athens. Median household income is $23,542/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Georgia?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Athens?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Athens has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,162/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Athens details →

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