What salary do I need in Nashville, TN to live like I do in College Park, MD?

If you earn $150,000 in College Park, MD, you'd need approximately $125,242.973 in Nashville, TN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between College Park, MD and Nashville, TN?

Housing in Nashville, TN is 49.3% cheaper than in College Park, MD. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,840/month in Nashville, TN compared to $1,907/month in College Park, MD.

How much can I save per month by moving from College Park, MD to Nashville, TN?

Moving from College Park, MD to Nashville, TN could save you approximately $2063 per month, or $24757 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

College Park, MD vs Nashville, TN: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Q: Is Nashville, TN cheaper than College Park, MD?

Based on cost of living data, Nashville, TN is 27.5% cheaper than College Park, MD. This translates to saving $2063 per month.

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in College Park, MD

Numbers update automatically as you type

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

$150.0K in your current city equals $125.2K in Nashville, TN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area

Overall Cost

↓ 27.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,063

Savings

Annual Impact

$24.8K

Per year

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

College Park, MD

Population:34K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$432K

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:

(28% below avg)

Median Home:$489K

College Park, MD

The Old Line State

34K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Maryland, this city has a population of 34K 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: College Park, MD vs Nashville, TN

Category	College Park, MD	Nashville, TN	Difference	Change
Housing	$5,225/mo	$2,651/mo	↓ $2,575less	49.3%
Transportation	$1,762/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $478less	27.1%
Other	$1,706/mo	$1,942/mo	↑ $236more	13.8%
Groceries	$1,043/mo	$949/mo	↓ $94.11less	9.0%
All Utilities	$491/mo	$519/mo	↑ $27.78more	5.7%
Healthcare	$611/mo	$607/mo	↓ $3.82less	0.6%

Housing

↓ 49.3%

College Park, MD

$5,225

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Difference

$2,575

less

Transportation

↓ 27.1%

College Park, MD

$1,762

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Difference

$478

less

Other

↑ 13.8%

College Park, MD

$1,706

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Difference

$236

Groceries

↓ 9.0%

College Park, MD

$1,043

Nashville, TN

$949

Difference

$94.11

less

All Utilities

↑ 5.7%

College Park, MD

$491

Nashville, TN

$519

Difference

$27.78

Healthcare

↓ 0.6%

College Park, MD

$611

Nashville, TN

$607

Difference

$3.82

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,661

To$1,600

↓ $61.00

1 Bed

From$1,708

To$1,680

↓ $28.00

2 Bed

From$1,907

To$1,840

↓ $67.00

3 Bed

From$2,407

To$2,350

↓ $57.00

College Park, MDZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,150–$2,150/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.

$10,839

Monthly in College Park, MD

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$2,886

Difference

Home Values

College Park

Nashville

$432K

Median Value

$489K

↓ -0.4%

YoY Change

↓ -2.1%

↑ +17.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.1%

$432K

Price Range

$320K - $1.16M

Homes in Nashville are 13% more expensive than College Park

Calculate payment - College Park Calculate payment - Nashville

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.3K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$605

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.8%

Rate difference

College Park, MD

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Maryland State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.3K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.5%

$44.3K

Take-Home Pay

$8,811/month

$105.7K

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

College Park, MD Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

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

College Park

Nashville

45 Good

Air Quality

50 Good

63.7%

Good Air Days

51.6%

98 High

Climate Risk

97 High

🌊🌀🌡

Top Hazards

🌊🫨🌪

▲+2.9°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.8°F

27 days

Heat Days >95°F

42 days

▲+2.9°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.8°F

27 days

Heat Days >95°F

42 days

What to Consider When Moving from College Park, MD to Nashville, TN

Relocating from College Park, MD to Nashville, TN involves more than just comparing rent prices. While the overall cost of living is about 28% lower in Nashville, TN, your actual experience will depend on your lifestyle, job situation, and priorities. Here are the key factors to weigh before making the move.

Housing & Rent

Housing is typically the largest line item in any budget, and it’s where the biggest differences show up between cities. In this comparison, housing in Nashville, TN is 49% cheaper than in College Park, MD. Keep in mind that neighborhood choice within a city can swing rent by 30–50%, so research specific areas — not just city averages — before signing a lease. If you’re buying, factor in property tax rates, which vary significantly by county and state.

Job Market & Salary Adjustments

A lower cost of living doesn’t help if your salary drops proportionally. Before committing to a move, research whether employers in Nashville, TN pay comparable wages for your role. Remote workers may keep their current salary, but some companies adjust pay based on location. Use the salary calculator above to see what you’d need to earn in Nashville, TN to match your current standard of living in College Park, MD.

Taxes & Take-Home Pay

State income tax, property tax, and sales tax all affect how far your paycheck stretches. Some states have no income tax but make up for it with higher property or sales taxes. The tax comparison section above breaks down how your take-home pay would change. Don’t forget about vehicle registration fees, tolls, and other state-specific costs that add up over a year.

Quality of Life & Lifestyle Fit

Numbers only tell part of the story. Consider climate preferences, commute times, proximity to family, school quality if you have children, healthcare access, and the general “feel” of a city. A place that’s 15% cheaper might not be worth it if it means a longer commute or fewer amenities you value. If possible, visit Nashville, TN for a week before making a final decision — experiencing the day-to-day rhythm matters more than any spreadsheet.

Frequently Asked Questions: College Park, MD vs Nashville, TN

Is Nashville, TN cheaper than College Park, MD?

Yes, Nashville, TN is about 27.5% cheaper than College Park, MD. You could save approximately $2,063/month on a $150,000 salary. Housing costs are 49% lower in Nashville, TN.

What salary do I need in Nashville, TN to match my lifestyle in College Park, MD?

If you currently earn $150,000 in College Park, MD, you would need approximately $125,243 in Nashville, TN to maintain the same standard of living. This accounts for differences in housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, healthcare, and other typical expenses. Use the salary input above to adjust this based on your actual income.

How does rent compare between College Park, MD and Nashville, TN?

A two-bedroom apartment averages $1,907/month in College Park, MD compared to $1,840/month in Nashville, TN. One-bedroom apartments are $1,708/month in College Park, MD vs $1,680/month in Nashville, TN. These are area-wide medians — specific neighborhoods can vary significantly. Check the ZIP-level rent breakdown above for more granular data.

Are groceries more expensive in College Park, MD or Nashville, TN?

Groceries are about 9% cheaper in Nashville, TN than in College Park, MD, saving a typical household roughly $94.11/month on food.

What is the best time to move from College Park, MD to Nashville, TN?

Most people find that moving during the off-season (October through March) results in lower moving costs, since demand for movers and rental trucks drops. If you're renting, you may also find more negotiable lease terms during winter months. However, if you have school-age children, summer moves allow for a smoother school transition. For the best combination of availability and price, consider moving in early fall or late spring.

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