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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Durham

North Carolina
105

Nashville is 5% more expensive than Durham.

$1,486/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$1,412/mo ↓ 5%
$75,197/yr ↓ 5%
Median Income
$79,234/yr ↑ 5%
$383,100 ↑ 8%
Home Value
$355,300 ↓ 7%
$1,471/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,434/mo ↓ 3%
684,298
Population
288,465

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
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Durham, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $74/month cheaper in Durham, saving renters about $888/year.

Median household income is $4,037/year higher in Durham. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $355,300 in Durham.

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 Durham — common questions

Is Nashville or Durham cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Durham is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Durham?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Durham it's $1,412/month — a difference of $74/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Durham?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $79,234 in Durham. Median household income is $4,037/year higher in Durham.
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 Durham?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Durham has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,412/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Durham details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Nashville and Durham

Nashville vs. Oklahoma City Nashville vs. El Paso Nashville vs. Denver Nashville vs. Washington Nashville vs. Seattle Nashville vs. Boston Durham vs. Anchorage Durham vs. Plano Durham vs. Jersey City Durham vs. Chandler Durham vs. Lincoln Durham vs. Buffalo