Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Nashville is 43% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,486/mo ↑ 40%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 28%
$75,197/yr ↑ 22%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 18%
$383,100 ↑ 52%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 34%
$1,471/mo ↑ 39%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 28%
684,298
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $421/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $5,052/year.

Median household income is $13,743/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Nashville or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Lafayette?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $421/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Lafayette?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $13,743/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Louisiana?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Lafayette details →

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