Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Cary, NC (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Cary

North Carolina
135

Nashville is 19% cheaper than Cary.

$1,486/mo ↓ 8%
Median Rent
$1,621/mo ↑ 9%
$75,197/yr ↓ 42%
Median Income
$129,399/yr ↑ 72%
$383,100 ↓ 27%
Home Value
$525,200 ↑ 37%
$1,471/mo ↓ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,744/mo ↑ 19%
684,298
Population
176,686

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Cary, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 135 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $135/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $1,620/year.

Median household income is $54,202/year higher in Cary. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $525,200 in Cary.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Cary — common questions

Is Nashville or Cary cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 135 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Cary?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Cary it's $1,621/month — a difference of $135/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Cary?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $129,399 in Cary. Median household income is $54,202/year higher in Cary.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and North Carolina?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Cary?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Cary has a cost index of 135 with rent of $1,621/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Cary details →

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