Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Rochester, NY (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Rochester

New York
61

Nashville is 80% more expensive than Rochester.

$1,486/mo ↑ 43%
Median Rent
$1,039/mo ↓ 30%
$75,197/yr ↑ 61%
Median Income
$46,628/yr ↓ 38%
$383,100 ↑ 218%
Home Value
$120,600 ↓ 69%
$1,471/mo ↑ 46%
Owner Costs
$1,009/mo ↓ 31%
684,298
Population
209,720

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.9%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Rochester, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $447/month cheaper in Rochester, saving renters about $5,364/year.

Median household income is $28,569/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $120,600 in Rochester.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over New York's 10.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Rochester — common questions

Is Nashville or Rochester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Rochester is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Rochester?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Rochester it's $1,039/month — a difference of $447/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Rochester?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $46,628 in Rochester. Median household income is $28,569/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and New York?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Rochester?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Rochester has a cost index of 61 with rent of $1,039/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Rochester details →

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