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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Gainesville

Florida
81

Nashville is 36% more expensive than Gainesville.

$1,486/mo ↑ 22%
Median Rent
$1,214/mo ↓ 18%
$75,197/yr ↑ 65%
Median Income
$45,611/yr ↓ 39%
$383,100 ↑ 63%
Home Value
$235,000 ↓ 39%
$1,471/mo ↑ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,167/mo ↓ 21%
684,298
Population
143,611

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
31.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Gainesville, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 81 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $272/month cheaper in Gainesville, saving renters about $3,264/year.

Median household income is $29,586/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $235,000 in Gainesville.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Gainesville — common questions

Is Nashville or Gainesville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Gainesville is cheaper to live in with an index of 81 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Gainesville?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Gainesville it's $1,214/month — a difference of $272/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Gainesville?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $45,611 in Gainesville. Median household income is $29,586/year higher in Nashville.
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 Gainesville?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Gainesville has a cost index of 81 with rent of $1,214/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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