Is Nashville, TN cheaper than Cambridge, MA?

Based on cost of living data, Nashville, TN is 28.1% cheaper than Cambridge, MA. This translates to saving $2110 per month.

What salary do I need in Nashville, TN to live like I do in Cambridge, MA?

If you earn $150,000 in Cambridge, MA, you'd need approximately $124,682.672 in Nashville, TN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Cambridge, MA and Nashville, TN?

Housing in Nashville, TN is 42.0% cheaper than in Cambridge, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,840/month in Nashville, TN compared to $3,368/month in Cambridge, MA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Cambridge, MA to Nashville, TN?

Moving from Cambridge, MA to Nashville, TN could save you approximately $2110 per month, or $25317 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Cambridge, MA vs Nashville, TN: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Cambridge, MA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Boston, MA area

Current salary in Cambridge, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.1K/month moving to Nashville, TN

$150.0K in your current city equals $124.7K in Nashville, TN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area

Overall Cost

↓ 28.1%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,110

Savings

Annual Impact

$25.3K

Per year

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

Cambridge, MA

Population:118K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.11M

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:72

Median Home:$489K

Cambridge, MA

The Bay State

118K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Massachusetts, this city has a population of 118K 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: Cambridge, MA vs Nashville, TN

Category	Cambridge, MA	Nashville, TN	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$4,567/mo	$2,651/mo	↓ $1,916less	42.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,761/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $477less	27.1%
📦Other	$1,755/mo	$1,942/mo	↑ $187more	10.6%
⚡All Utilities	$702/mo	$519/mo	↓ $183less	26.1%
🏥Healthcare	$729/mo	$607/mo	↓ $122less	16.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,058/mo	$949/mo	↓ $109less	10.3%

🏠Housing

↓ 42.0%

Cambridge, MA

$4,567

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Difference

$1,916

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 27.1%

Cambridge, MA

$1,761

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Difference

$477

less

📦Other

↑ 10.6%

Cambridge, MA

$1,755

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Difference

$187

⚡All Utilities

↓ 26.1%

Cambridge, MA

$702

Nashville, TN

$519

Difference

$183

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 16.7%

Cambridge, MA

$729

Nashville, TN

$607

Difference

$122

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 10.3%

Cambridge, MA

$1,058

Nashville, TN

$949

Difference

$109

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,702

To$1,600

↓ $1,102

1 Bed

From$2,837

To$1,680

↓ $1,157

2 Bed

From$3,368

To$1,840

↓ $1,528

3 Bed

From$4,039

To$2,350

↓ $1,689

Cambridge, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $3,370–$3,610/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.

$10,572

Monthly in Cambridge, MA

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$2,620

Difference

Home Values

Cambridge

Nashville

$1.11M

Median Value

$489K

↑ +0.2%

YoY Change

↓ -2.1%

↑ +15.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.1%

$963K - $1.26M

Price Range

$320K - $1.16M

Homes in Nashville are 56% less expensive than Cambridge

Calculate payment - Cambridge Calculate payment - Nashville

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.5K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$625

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.0%

Rate difference

Cambridge, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

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

Cambridge, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

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.