Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Pittsburgh, PA (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania
76

Nashville is 45% more expensive than Pittsburgh.

$1,486/mo ↑ 22%
Median Rent
$1,221/mo ↓ 18%
$75,197/yr ↑ 17%
Median Income
$64,137/yr ↓ 15%
$383,100 ↑ 98%
Home Value
$193,200 ↓ 50%
$1,471/mo ↑ 29%
Owner Costs
$1,136/mo ↓ 23%
684,298
Population
303,620

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.07%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
1.49%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Pittsburgh, PA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $265/month cheaper in Pittsburgh, saving renters about $3,180/year.

Median household income is $11,060/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $193,200 in Pittsburgh.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Pennsylvania's 3.07% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Pittsburgh — common questions

Is Nashville or Pittsburgh cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Pittsburgh is cheaper to live in with an index of 76 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Pittsburgh?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Pittsburgh it's $1,221/month — a difference of $265/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Pittsburgh?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $64,137 in Pittsburgh. Median household income is $11,060/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Pennsylvania?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Pennsylvania has 3.07% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.49% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Pittsburgh?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Pittsburgh has a cost index of 76 with rent of $1,221/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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