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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Atlanta

Georgia
122

Nashville is 10% cheaper than Atlanta.

$1,486/mo ↓ 8%
Median Rent
$1,617/mo ↑ 9%
$75,197/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$81,938/yr ↑ 9%
$383,100 ↓ 9%
Home Value
$420,600 ↑ 10%
$1,471/mo ↓ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,695/mo ↑ 15%
684,298
Population
499,287

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
23.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Atlanta, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 122 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $131/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $1,572/year.

Median household income is $6,741/year higher in Atlanta. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $420,600 in Atlanta.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Atlanta — common questions

Is Nashville or Atlanta cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 122 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Atlanta?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Atlanta it's $1,617/month — a difference of $131/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Atlanta?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $81,938 in Atlanta. Median household income is $6,741/year higher in Atlanta.
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 Atlanta?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Atlanta has a cost index of 122 with rent of $1,617/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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