Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Salt Lake City, UT (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Salt Lake City

Utah
117

Nashville is 6% cheaper than Salt Lake City.

$1,486/mo ↑ 11%
Median Rent
$1,343/mo ↓ 10%
$75,197/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$74,925/yr ≈ Same
$383,100 ↓ 23%
Home Value
$495,700 ↑ 29%
$1,471/mo ↑ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,394/mo ↓ 5%
684,298
Population
203,888

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.65%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.1%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.58%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Salt Lake City, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 117 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $143/month cheaper in Salt Lake City, saving renters about $1,716/year.

Median household income is $272/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $495,700 in Salt Lake City.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Utah's 4.65% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Salt Lake City — common questions

Is Nashville or Salt Lake City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 117 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Salt Lake City?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Salt Lake City it's $1,343/month — a difference of $143/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Salt Lake City?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $74,925 in Salt Lake City. Median household income is $272/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Utah?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Salt Lake City?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Salt Lake City has a cost index of 117 with rent of $1,343/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Salt Lake City details →

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