Is Nashville, TN cheaper than Fairbanks, AK?

Based on cost of living data, Nashville, TN is 10.1% more expensive than Fairbanks, AK. This translates to spending an extra $754 per month.

What salary do I need in Nashville, TN to live like I do in Fairbanks, AK?

If you earn $150,000 in Fairbanks, AK, you'd need approximately $159,047.25 in Nashville, TN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Fairbanks, AK and Nashville, TN?

Housing in Nashville, TN is 28.3% more expensive than in Fairbanks, AK. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,840/month in Nashville, TN compared to $961/month in Fairbanks, AK.

How much can I save per month by moving from Fairbanks, AK to Nashville, TN?

Living in Nashville, TN costs approximately $754 more per month than Fairbanks, AK, or $9047 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Fairbanks, AK vs Nashville, TN: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Fairbanks, AK — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Anchorage, AK area

Current salary in Fairbanks, AK

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $754/month more in Nashville, TN

$150.0K in your current city equals $159.0K in Nashville, TN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 10.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$754

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$9.0K

Per year

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

Fairbanks, AK

Population:32K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$297K

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:110

Median Home:$489K

Fairbanks, AK

The Last Frontier

32K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Alaska, this city has a population of 32K residents.

💡 Advantage: Alaska has no state income tax!

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: Fairbanks, AK vs Nashville, TN

Category	Fairbanks, AK	Nashville, TN	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,066/mo	$2,651/mo	↑ $584more	28.3%
📦Other	$1,391/mo	$1,942/mo	↑ $551more	39.6%
🛒Groceries	$1,150/mo	$949/mo	↓ $201less	17.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,084/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $200more	18.4%
⚡All Utilities	$714/mo	$519/mo	↓ $195less	27.3%
🏥Healthcare	$772/mo	$607/mo	↓ $165less	21.3%

🏠Housing

↑ 28.3%

Fairbanks, AK

$2,066

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Difference

$584

📦Other

↑ 39.6%

Fairbanks, AK

$1,391

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Difference

$551

🛒Groceries

↓ 17.5%

Fairbanks, AK

$1,150

Nashville, TN

$949

Difference

$201

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 18.4%

Fairbanks, AK

$1,084

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Difference

$200

⚡All Utilities

↓ 27.3%

Fairbanks, AK

$714

Nashville, TN

$519

Difference

$195

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 21.3%

Fairbanks, AK

$772

Nashville, TN

$607

Difference

$165

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$662

To$1,600

↑ $938

1 Bed

From$732

To$1,680

↑ $948

2 Bed

From$961

To$1,840

↑ $879

3 Bed

From$1,343

To$2,350

↑ $1,007

Fairbanks, AKZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,150–$1,200/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.

$7,178

Monthly in Fairbanks, AK

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$774

Difference

Home Values

Fairbanks

Nashville

$297K

Median Value

$489K

↓ -2.3%

YoY Change

↓ -2.1%

↑ +4.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.1%

$296K - $298K

Price Range

$320K - $1.16M

Homes in Nashville are 65% more expensive than Fairbanks

Calculate payment - Fairbanks Calculate payment - Nashville

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Fairbanks, AK

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Alaska 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

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

Fairbanks, AK Tax Rates

Sales Tax:1.8%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.