Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Louisville, KY (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Louisville

Kentucky
74

Nashville is 49% more expensive than Louisville.

$1,486/mo ↑ 39%
Median Rent
$1,069/mo ↓ 28%
$75,197/yr ↑ 16%
Median Income
$64,731/yr ↓ 14%
$383,100 ↑ 73%
Home Value
$221,500 ↓ 42%
$1,471/mo ↑ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,118/mo ↓ 24%
684,298
Population
627,210

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.0%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Louisville, KY, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $417/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $5,004/year.

Median household income is $10,466/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $221,500 in Louisville.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Kentucky's 4.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Louisville — common questions

Is Nashville or Louisville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Louisville?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Louisville it's $1,069/month — a difference of $417/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Louisville?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $64,731 in Louisville. Median household income is $10,466/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Kentucky?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Louisville?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Louisville has a cost index of 74 with rent of $1,069/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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