Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Huntsville, AL (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Huntsville

Alabama
78

Nashville is 41% more expensive than Huntsville.

$1,486/mo ↑ 38%
Median Rent
$1,078/mo ↓ 27%
$75,197/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$70,778/yr ↓ 6%
$383,100 ↑ 46%
Home Value
$263,100 ↓ 31%
$1,471/mo ↑ 41%
Owner Costs
$1,046/mo ↓ 29%
684,298
Population
218,814

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Huntsville, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 78 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $408/month cheaper in Huntsville, saving renters about $4,896/year.

Median household income is $4,419/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $263,100 in Huntsville.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Huntsville — common questions

Is Nashville or Huntsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Huntsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 78 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Huntsville?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Huntsville it's $1,078/month — a difference of $408/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Huntsville?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $70,778 in Huntsville. Median household income is $4,419/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Alabama?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Huntsville?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Huntsville has a cost index of 78 with rent of $1,078/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Huntsville details →

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