Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Washington, DC (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Washington

District of Columbia
171

Nashville is 61% cheaper than Washington.

$1,486/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,900/mo ↑ 28%
$75,197/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$106,287/yr ↑ 41%
$383,100 ↓ 47%
Home Value
$724,600 ↑ 89%
$1,471/mo ↓ 30%
Owner Costs
$2,103/mo ↑ 43%
684,298
Population
672,079

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.75%
7.0%
Sales Tax
6.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.56%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Washington, DC, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 171 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $414/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $4,968/year.

Median household income is $31,090/year higher in Washington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $724,600 in Washington.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over District of Columbia's 10.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Washington — common questions

Is Nashville or Washington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 171 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Washington?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Washington it's $1,900/month — a difference of $414/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Washington?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $106,287 in Washington. Median household income is $31,090/year higher in Washington.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and District of Columbia?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. District of Columbia has 10.75% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.56% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Washington?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Washington has a cost index of 171 with rent of $1,900/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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