Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Portland, OR (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Portland

Oregon
138

Nashville is 20% cheaper than Portland.

$1,486/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,596/mo ↑ 7%
$75,197/yr ↓ 15%
Median Income
$88,792/yr ↑ 18%
$383,100 ↓ 31%
Home Value
$557,600 ↑ 46%
$1,471/mo ↓ 17%
Owner Costs
$1,771/mo ↑ 20%
684,298
Population
642,715

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.9%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Portland, OR, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 138 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $110/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $1,320/year.

Median household income is $13,595/year higher in Portland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $557,600 in Portland.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Oregon's 9.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Portland — common questions

Is Nashville or Portland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Portland?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Portland it's $1,596/month — a difference of $110/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Portland?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $88,792 in Portland. Median household income is $13,595/year higher in Portland.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Oregon?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Portland?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Portland has a cost index of 138 with rent of $1,596/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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