Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Nashville is 10% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,486/mo ↑ 13%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 12%
$75,197/yr ↑ 18%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 15%
$383,100 ↑ 9%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 9%
$1,471/mo ↑ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 7%
684,298
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $175/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $2,100/year.

Median household income is $11,297/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Nashville or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Wilmington?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $175/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Wilmington?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $11,297/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and North Carolina?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Wilmington details →

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