Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Norfolk, VA (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Norfolk

Virginia
89

Nashville is 24% more expensive than Norfolk.

$1,486/mo ↑ 19%
Median Rent
$1,246/mo ↓ 16%
$75,197/yr ↑ 17%
Median Income
$64,017/yr ↓ 15%
$383,100 ↑ 41%
Home Value
$271,900 ↓ 29%
$1,471/mo ↑ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,366/mo ↓ 7%
684,298
Population
235,037

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.75%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Norfolk, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 89 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $240/month cheaper in Norfolk, saving renters about $2,880/year.

Median household income is $11,180/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $271,900 in Norfolk.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Norfolk — common questions

Is Nashville or Norfolk cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Norfolk is cheaper to live in with an index of 89 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Norfolk?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Norfolk it's $1,246/month — a difference of $240/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Norfolk?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $64,017 in Norfolk. Median household income is $11,180/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Virginia?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Norfolk?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Norfolk has a cost index of 89 with rent of $1,246/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Norfolk details →

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