Is Nashville, TN cheaper than Cary, NC?

Based on cost of living data, Nashville, TN is 8.5% more expensive than Cary, NC. This translates to spending an extra $635 per month.

What salary do I need in Nashville, TN to live like I do in Cary, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Cary, NC, you'd need approximately $157,619.683 in Nashville, TN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Cary, NC and Nashville, TN?

Housing in Nashville, TN is 21.9% more expensive than in Cary, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,840/month in Nashville, TN compared to $1,473/month in Cary, NC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Cary, NC to Nashville, TN?

Living in Nashville, TN costs approximately $635 more per month than Cary, NC, or $7620 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Cary, NC vs Nashville, TN: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Cary, NC — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Raleigh, NC area

Current salary in Cary, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $635/month more in Nashville, TN

$150.0K in your current city equals $157.6K in Nashville, TN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Raleigh-Cary, NC area

Overall Cost

↑ 8.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$635

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$7.6K

Per year

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

Cary, NC

Population:180K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$514K

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:108

Median Home:$489K

Cary, NC

The Tar Heel State

180K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 180K 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: Cary, NC vs Nashville, TN

Category	Cary, NC	Nashville, TN	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,175/mo	$2,651/mo	↑ $476more	21.9%
📦Other	$1,672/mo	$1,942/mo	↑ $270more	16.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,257/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $27.00more	2.1%
⚡All Utilities	$541/mo	$519/mo	↓ $21.55less	4.0%
🏥Healthcare	$595/mo	$607/mo	↑ $12.55more	2.1%
🛒Groceries	$949/mo	$949/mo	↑ $0.15more	0.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 21.9%

Cary, NC

$2,175

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Difference

$476

📦Other

↑ 16.2%

Cary, NC

$1,672

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Difference

$270

🚗Transportation

↑ 2.1%

Cary, NC

$1,257

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Difference

$27.00

⚡All Utilities

↓ 4.0%

Cary, NC

$541

Nashville, TN

$519

Difference

$21.55

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 2.1%

Cary, NC

$595

Nashville, TN

$607

Difference

$12.55

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.0%

Cary, NC

$949

Nashville, TN

$949

Difference

$0.15

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,281

To$1,600

↑ $319

1 Bed

From$1,344

To$1,680

↑ $336

2 Bed

From$1,473

To$1,840

↑ $367

3 Bed

From$1,847

To$2,350

↑ $503

Cary, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,480–$1,750/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.

$7,188

Monthly in Cary, NC

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$764

Difference

Home Values

Cary

Nashville

$514K

Median Value

$489K

↓ -2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -2.1%

↑ +44%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.1%

$481K - $548K

Price Range

$320K - $1.16M

Homes in Nashville are 5% less expensive than Cary

Calculate payment - Cary Calculate payment - Nashville

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.1K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$594

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.7%

Rate difference

Cary, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

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

Cary, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.