Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Nashville is 17% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale.

$1,486/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↑ 20%
$75,197/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↑ 6%
$383,100 ↓ 16%
Home Value
$455,600 ↑ 19%
$1,471/mo ↓ 17%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 21%
684,298
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $290/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $3,480/year.

Median household income is $4,738/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Nashville or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $290/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $4,738/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Florida?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

More Comparisons

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