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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Nashville is 51% more expensive than Fayetteville.

$1,486/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↓ 21%
$75,197/yr ↑ 33%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 25%
$383,100 ↑ 123%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 55%
$1,471/mo ↑ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↓ 21%
684,298
Population
209,692

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
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $307/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $3,684/year.

Median household income is $18,802/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

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 Fayetteville — common questions

Is Nashville or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $307/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $18,802/year higher in Nashville.
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 Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,179/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Fayetteville details →

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