Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Lowell, MA (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Lowell

Massachusetts
119

Nashville is 8% cheaper than Lowell.

$1,486/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,603/mo ↑ 8%
$75,197/yr ↓ 1%
Median Income
$76,205/yr ↑ 1%
$383,100 ↓ 3%
Home Value
$395,100 ↑ 3%
$1,471/mo ↓ 12%
Owner Costs
$1,672/mo ↑ 14%
684,298
Population
114,799

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.0%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.64%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Lowell, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $117/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $1,404/year.

Median household income is $1,008/year higher in Lowell. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $395,100 in Lowell.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Massachusetts's 9.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Lowell — common questions

Is Nashville or Lowell cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 119 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Lowell?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Lowell it's $1,603/month — a difference of $117/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Lowell?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $76,205 in Lowell. Median household income is $1,008/year higher in Lowell.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Massachusetts?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Lowell?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Lowell has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,603/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Lowell details →

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