Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Des Moines, IA (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Des Moines

Iowa
70

Nashville is 57% more expensive than Des Moines.

$1,486/mo ↑ 41%
Median Rent
$1,054/mo ↓ 29%
$75,197/yr ↑ 18%
Median Income
$63,966/yr ↓ 15%
$383,100 ↑ 109%
Home Value
$183,700 ↓ 52%
$1,471/mo ↑ 29%
Owner Costs
$1,137/mo ↓ 23%
684,298
Population
212,464

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.7%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Des Moines, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 70 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $432/month cheaper in Des Moines, saving renters about $5,184/year.

Median household income is $11,231/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $183,700 in Des Moines.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Iowa's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Des Moines — common questions

Is Nashville or Des Moines cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Des Moines is cheaper to live in with an index of 70 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Des Moines?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Des Moines it's $1,054/month — a difference of $432/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Des Moines?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $63,966 in Des Moines. Median household income is $11,231/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Iowa?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Des Moines?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Des Moines has a cost index of 70 with rent of $1,054/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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