Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Meridian, ID (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Meridian

Idaho
131

Nashville is 16% cheaper than Meridian.

$1,486/mo ↓ 13%
Median Rent
$1,714/mo ↑ 15%
$75,197/yr ↓ 24%
Median Income
$98,686/yr ↑ 31%
$383,100 ↓ 21%
Home Value
$485,000 ↑ 27%
$1,471/mo ↓ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↑ 9%
684,298
Population
124,865

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.8%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Meridian, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 131 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $228/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $2,736/year.

Median household income is $23,489/year higher in Meridian. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $485,000 in Meridian.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Idaho's 5.8% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Meridian — common questions

Is Nashville or Meridian cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 131 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Meridian?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Meridian it's $1,714/month — a difference of $228/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Meridian?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $98,686 in Meridian. Median household income is $23,489/year higher in Meridian.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Idaho?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Meridian?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Meridian has a cost index of 131 with rent of $1,714/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Meridian details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Nashville and Meridian

Nashville vs. Oklahoma City Nashville vs. El Paso Nashville vs. Denver Nashville vs. Washington Nashville vs. Seattle Nashville vs. Boston Meridian vs. Palm Bay Meridian vs. Vallejo Meridian vs. Allentown Meridian vs. Round Rock Meridian vs. Thousand Oaks Meridian vs. Concord