Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Raleigh, NC (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Raleigh

North Carolina
110

Nashville and Raleigh have a similar cost of living.

$1,486/mo ↑ 1%
Median Rent
$1,468/mo ↓ 1%
$75,197/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$82,424/yr ↑ 10%
$383,100 ↑ 1%
Home Value
$377,800 ↓ 1%
$1,471/mo ↓ 1%
Owner Costs
$1,487/mo ↑ 1%
684,298
Population
470,763

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

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

Median household income is $7,227/year higher in Raleigh. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $377,800 in Raleigh.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Raleigh — common questions

Is Nashville or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Raleigh is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Raleigh?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Raleigh it's $1,468/month — a difference of $18/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Raleigh?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $82,424 in Raleigh. Median household income is $7,227/year higher in Raleigh.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and North Carolina?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Raleigh?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with rent of $1,468/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Raleigh details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Nashville and Raleigh

Nashville vs. Oklahoma City Nashville vs. El Paso Nashville vs. Denver Nashville vs. Washington Nashville vs. Seattle Nashville vs. Boston Raleigh vs. Colorado Springs Raleigh vs. Long Beach Raleigh vs. Omaha Raleigh vs. Virginia Beach Raleigh vs. Atlanta Raleigh vs. Miami