Is Nashville, TN cheaper than Ames, IA?

Based on cost of living data, Nashville, TN is 17.1% more expensive than Ames, IA. This translates to spending an extra $1286 per month.

What salary do I need in Nashville, TN to live like I do in Ames, IA?

If you earn $150,000 in Ames, IA, you'd need approximately $165,427.001 in Nashville, TN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Ames, IA and Nashville, TN?

Housing in Nashville, TN is 45.0% more expensive than in Ames, IA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,840/month in Nashville, TN compared to $1,021/month in Ames, IA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Ames, IA to Nashville, TN?

Living in Nashville, TN costs approximately $1286 more per month than Ames, IA, or $15427 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Ames, IA vs Nashville, TN: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Ames, IA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Des Moines, IA area

Current salary in Ames, IA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in Nashville, TN

$150.0K in your current city equals $165.4K in Nashville, TN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area

Overall Cost

↑ 17.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,286

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$15.4K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Ames, IA

Population:66K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$264K

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:117

Median Home:$489K

Ames, IA

The Hawkeye State

66K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 66K residents.

Nashville, TN

The Volunteer State

689K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Music City USA
•Country music capital
•Healthcare industry hub

Major Industries

Music IndustryHealthcareTourismFinance

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Ames, IA vs Nashville, TN

Category	Ames, IA	Nashville, TN	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,828/mo	$2,651/mo	↑ $823more	45.0%
📦Other	$1,570/mo	$1,942/mo	↑ $372more	23.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,214/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $69.60more	5.7%
🏥Healthcare	$674/mo	$607/mo	↓ $66.46less	9.9%
⚡All Utilities	$464/mo	$519/mo	↑ $54.62more	11.8%
🛒Groceries	$899/mo	$949/mo	↑ $50.50more	5.6%

🏠Housing

↑ 45.0%

Ames, IA

$1,828

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Difference

$823

📦Other

↑ 23.7%

Ames, IA

$1,570

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Difference

$372

🚗Transportation

↑ 5.7%

Ames, IA

$1,214

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Difference

$69.60

🏥Healthcare

↓ 9.9%

Ames, IA

$674

Nashville, TN

$607

Difference

$66.46

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 11.8%

Ames, IA

$464

Nashville, TN

$519

Difference

$54.62

🛒Groceries

↑ 5.6%

Ames, IA

$899

Nashville, TN

$949

Difference

$50.50

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$859

To$1,600

↑ $741

1 Bed

From$905

To$1,680

↑ $775

2 Bed

From$1,021

To$1,840

↑ $819

3 Bed

From$1,420

To$2,350

↑ $930

Ames, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,020–$1,160/mo

Nashville, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,320–$2,230/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,649

Monthly in Ames, IA

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$1,303

Difference

Home Values

Ames

Nashville

$264K

Median Value

$489K

↑ +2.9%

YoY Change

↓ -2.1%

↑ +21.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.1%

$258K - $269K

Price Range

$320K - $1.16M

Homes in Nashville are 85% more expensive than Ames

Calculate payment - Ames Calculate payment - Nashville

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $10.7K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$892

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Ames, IA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Iowa State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.7K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.7K

Take-Home Pay

$8,524/month

$102.3K

Nashville, TN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Tennessee State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Ames, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:1.5%

Nashville, TN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.5%

Property Tax:0.7%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Ames

Nashville

45 Good

Air Quality

50 Good

67.5%

Good Air Days

51.6%

92 Moderate

Climate Risk

97 High

🌡☀🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🫨🌪

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.8°F

25 days

Heat Days >95°F

42 days

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.8°F

25 days

Heat Days >95°F

42 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Iowa and Tennessee on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Ames, IA on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Nashville, TN

Other cities in a similar price range

Denver, CO Raleigh, NC Charlotte, NC

Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in Nashville, TN

Ames, IA

Nashville, TN

Ames, IA

Nashville, TN

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code2 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code19 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP2 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP17 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Ames, IA

Nashville, TN

Additional Tax Information

Ames, IA Tax Rates

Nashville, TN Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Nashville, TN