Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Newark, NJ (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Newark

New Jersey
100

Nashville is 10% more expensive than Newark.

$1,486/mo ↑ 12%
Median Rent
$1,330/mo ↓ 10%
$75,197/yr ↑ 55%
Median Income
$48,416/yr ↓ 36%
$383,100 ↑ 13%
Home Value
$337,800 ↓ 12%
$1,471/mo ↑ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,419/mo ↓ 4%
684,298
Population
307,188

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.75%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.625%
0.64%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
33.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Newark, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $156/month cheaper in Newark, saving renters about $1,872/year.

Median household income is $26,781/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $337,800 in Newark.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over New Jersey's 10.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Newark — common questions

Is Nashville or Newark cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Newark is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Newark?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Newark it's $1,330/month — a difference of $156/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Newark?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $48,416 in Newark. Median household income is $26,781/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and New Jersey?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Newark?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Newark has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,330/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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