Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Tucson, AZ (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Tucson

Arizona
76

Nashville is 45% more expensive than Tucson.

$1,486/mo ↑ 38%
Median Rent
$1,079/mo ↓ 27%
$75,197/yr ↑ 38%
Median Income
$54,546/yr ↓ 27%
$383,100 ↑ 58%
Home Value
$242,200 ↓ 37%
$1,471/mo ↑ 37%
Owner Costs
$1,076/mo ↓ 27%
684,298
Population
543,348

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Tucson, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $407/month cheaper in Tucson, saving renters about $4,884/year.

Median household income is $20,651/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $242,200 in Tucson.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Tucson — common questions

Is Nashville or Tucson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tucson is cheaper to live in with an index of 76 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Tucson?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Tucson it's $1,079/month — a difference of $407/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Tucson?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $54,546 in Tucson. Median household income is $20,651/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Arizona?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Tucson?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Tucson has a cost index of 76 with rent of $1,079/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Tucson details →

More Comparisons

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