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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Columbus

Georgia
69

Nashville is 59% more expensive than Columbus.

$1,486/mo ↑ 39%
Median Rent
$1,072/mo ↓ 28%
$75,197/yr ↑ 33%
Median Income
$56,622/yr ↓ 25%
$383,100 ↑ 110%
Home Value
$182,300 ↓ 52%
$1,471/mo ↑ 38%
Owner Costs
$1,064/mo ↓ 28%
684,298
Population
204,383

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
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Columbus, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $414/month cheaper in Columbus, saving renters about $4,968/year.

Median household income is $18,575/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $182,300 in Columbus.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Columbus — common questions

Is Nashville or Columbus cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbus is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Columbus?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Columbus it's $1,072/month — a difference of $414/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Columbus?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $56,622 in Columbus. Median household income is $18,575/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 Columbus?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Columbus has a cost index of 69 with rent of $1,072/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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