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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Lakeland

Florida
82

Nashville is 34% more expensive than Lakeland.

$1,486/mo ↑ 14%
Median Rent
$1,299/mo ↓ 13%
$75,197/yr ↑ 23%
Median Income
$60,947/yr ↓ 19%
$383,100 ↑ 67%
Home Value
$229,100 ↓ 40%
$1,471/mo ↑ 28%
Owner Costs
$1,149/mo ↓ 22%
684,298
Population
117,030

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Lakeland, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $187/month cheaper in Lakeland, saving renters about $2,244/year.

Median household income is $14,250/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $229,100 in Lakeland.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Lakeland — common questions

Is Nashville or Lakeland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lakeland is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Lakeland?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Lakeland it's $1,299/month — a difference of $187/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Lakeland?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $60,947 in Lakeland. Median household income is $14,250/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 Lakeland?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Lakeland has a cost index of 82 with rent of $1,299/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Lakeland details →

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