Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs St. Paul, MN (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

St. Paul

Minnesota
91

Nashville is 21% more expensive than St. Paul.

$1,486/mo ↑ 19%
Median Rent
$1,248/mo ↓ 16%
$75,197/yr ↑ 3%
Median Income
$73,055/yr ↓ 3%
$383,100 ↑ 37%
Home Value
$280,300 ↓ 27%
$1,471/mo ↑ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,390/mo ↓ 6%
684,298
Population
307,762

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.85%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.875%
0.64%
Property Tax
1.11%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and St. Paul, MN, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $238/month cheaper in St. Paul, saving renters about $2,856/year.

Median household income is $2,142/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $280,300 in St. Paul.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Minnesota's 9.85% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs St. Paul — common questions

Is Nashville or St. Paul cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Paul is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and St. Paul?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in St. Paul it's $1,248/month — a difference of $238/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or St. Paul?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $73,055 in St. Paul. Median household income is $2,142/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Minnesota?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or St. Paul?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,248/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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