Is Nashville, TN cheaper than Dayton, OH?

Based on cost of living data, Nashville, TN is 14.0% more expensive than Dayton, OH. This translates to spending an extra $1053 per month.

What salary do I need in Nashville, TN to live like I do in Dayton, OH?

If you earn $150,000 in Dayton, OH, you'd need approximately $162,638.464 in Nashville, TN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Dayton, OH and Nashville, TN?

Housing in Nashville, TN is 25.6% more expensive than in Dayton, OH. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,840/month in Nashville, TN compared to $1,228/month in Dayton, OH.

How much can I save per month by moving from Dayton, OH to Nashville, TN?

Living in Nashville, TN costs approximately $1053 more per month than Dayton, OH, or $12638 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Dayton, OH vs Nashville, TN: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Dayton, OH — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Cincinnati, OH area

Current salary in Dayton, OH

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.1K/month more in Nashville, TN

$150.0K in your current city equals $162.6K in Nashville, TN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Dayton-Kettering, OH area

Overall Cost

↑ 14.0%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,053

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$12.6K

Per year

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

Dayton, OH

Population:136K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$112K

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:114

Median Home:$489K

Dayton, OH

The Buckeye State

136K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Ohio, this city has a population of 136K 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: Dayton, OH vs Nashville, TN

Category	Dayton, OH	Nashville, TN	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,110/mo	$2,651/mo	↑ $541more	25.6%
📦Other	$1,631/mo	$1,942/mo	↑ $311more	19.1%
⚡All Utilities	$468/mo	$519/mo	↑ $51.22more	10.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,234/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $50.31more	4.1%
🏥Healthcare	$568/mo	$607/mo	↑ $39.21more	6.9%
🛒Groceries	$926/mo	$949/mo	↑ $23.20more	2.5%

🏠Housing

↑ 25.6%

Dayton, OH

$2,110

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Difference

$541

📦Other

↑ 19.1%

Dayton, OH

$1,631

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Difference

$311

⚡All Utilities

↑ 10.9%

Dayton, OH

$468

Nashville, TN

$519

Difference

$51.22

🚗Transportation

↑ 4.1%

Dayton, OH

$1,234

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Difference

$50.31

🏥Healthcare

↑ 6.9%

Dayton, OH

$568

Nashville, TN

$607

Difference

$39.21

🛒Groceries

↑ 2.5%

Dayton, OH

$926

Nashville, TN

$949

Difference

$23.20

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Dayton, OH: Dayton Municipal Income Tax$3,750/yr (2.5%)

Nashville, TN has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$893

To$1,600

↑ $707

1 Bed

From$974

To$1,680

↑ $706

2 Bed

From$1,228

To$1,840

↑ $612

3 Bed

From$1,593

To$2,350

↑ $757

Dayton, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $790–$1,430/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.

$6,936

Monthly in Dayton, OH

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$1,016

Difference

Home Values

Dayton

Nashville

$112K

Median Value

$489K

↑ +1.4%

YoY Change

↓ -2.1%

↑ +37%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.1%

$72K - $307K

Price Range

$320K - $1.16M

Homes in Nashville are 337% more expensive than Dayton

Calculate payment - Dayton Calculate payment - Nashville

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $4.4K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$369

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.0%

Rate difference

Dayton, OH

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Ohio State Tax

Effective: 3.0%

$4.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.6%

$41.4K

Take-Home Pay

$9,047/month

$108.6K

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

Dayton, OH Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

Property Tax:1.6%

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.