Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Cleveland, OH (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Cleveland

Ohio
51

Nashville is 116% more expensive than Cleveland.

$1,486/mo ↑ 66%
Median Rent
$894/mo ↓ 40%
$75,197/yr ↑ 92%
Median Income
$39,187/yr ↓ 48%
$383,100 ↑ 307%
Home Value
$94,100 ↓ 75%
$1,471/mo ↑ 70%
Owner Costs
$866/mo ↓ 41%
684,298
Population
367,523

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.5%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.64%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Cleveland, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 51 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $592/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $7,104/year.

Median household income is $36,010/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $94,100 in Cleveland.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Cleveland — common questions

Is Nashville or Cleveland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Cleveland?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Cleveland it's $894/month — a difference of $592/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Cleveland?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $39,187 in Cleveland. Median household income is $36,010/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Ohio?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Cleveland?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with rent of $894/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Cleveland details →

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