Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Boise, ID (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Boise

Idaho
112

Nashville and Boise have a similar cost of living.

$1,486/mo ↑ 9%
Median Rent
$1,359/mo ↓ 9%
$75,197/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$81,308/yr ↑ 8%
$383,100 ↓ 16%
Home Value
$456,000 ↑ 19%
$1,471/mo ↑ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,337/mo ↓ 9%
684,298
Population
235,701

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.8%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Boise, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 112 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $127/month cheaper in Boise, saving renters about $1,524/year.

Median household income is $6,111/year higher in Boise. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $456,000 in Boise.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Idaho's 5.8% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Boise — common questions

Is Nashville or Boise cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 112 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Boise?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Boise it's $1,359/month — a difference of $127/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Boise?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $81,308 in Boise. Median household income is $6,111/year higher in Boise.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Idaho?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Boise?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Boise has a cost index of 112 with rent of $1,359/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Boise details →

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