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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Nashville is 4% more expensive than Paterson.

$1,486/mo ↑ 2%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↓ 2%
$75,197/yr ↑ 40%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 28%
$383,100 ↑ 14%
Home Value
$335,400 ↓ 12%
$1,471/mo ↓ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↑ 6%
684,298
Population
157,660

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
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $21,431/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

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 Paterson — common questions

Is Nashville or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Paterson is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Paterson?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $29/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Paterson?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $21,431/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 Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Paterson has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,457/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Paterson details →

More Comparisons

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