Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Virginia Beach, VA (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Virginia Beach

Virginia
117

Nashville is 6% cheaper than Virginia Beach.

$1,486/mo ↓ 10%
Median Rent
$1,649/mo ↑ 11%
$75,197/yr ↓ 17%
Median Income
$90,685/yr ↑ 21%
$383,100 ↑ 5%
Home Value
$366,300 ↓ 4%
$1,471/mo ↓ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,704/mo ↑ 16%
684,298
Population
457,066

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.75%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Virginia Beach, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 117 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $163/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $1,956/year.

Median household income is $15,488/year higher in Virginia Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $366,300 in Virginia Beach.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Virginia Beach — common questions

Is Nashville or Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Virginia Beach it's $1,649/month — a difference of $163/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Virginia Beach?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $90,685 in Virginia Beach. Median household income is $15,488/year higher in Virginia Beach.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Virginia?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Virginia Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Virginia Beach has a cost index of 117 with rent of $1,649/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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