Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Madison, WI (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Madison

Wisconsin
103

Nashville is 7% more expensive than Madison.

$1,486/mo ↑ 9%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 8%
$75,197/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$76,983/yr ↑ 2%
$383,100 ↑ 10%
Home Value
$346,900 ↓ 9%
$1,471/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,476/mo ≈ Same
684,298
Population
275,568

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
7.65%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
1.61%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Madison, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 103 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $122/month cheaper in Madison, saving renters about $1,464/year.

Median household income is $1,786/year higher in Madison. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $346,900 in Madison.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Wisconsin's 7.65% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Madison — common questions

Is Nashville or Madison cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Madison is cheaper to live in with an index of 103 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Madison?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Madison it's $1,364/month — a difference of $122/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Madison?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $76,983 in Madison. Median household income is $1,786/year higher in Madison.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Wisconsin?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Madison?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Madison has a cost index of 103 with rent of $1,364/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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