Is Nashville, TN cheaper than Houston, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Nashville, TN is 6.7% more expensive than Houston, TX. This translates to spending an extra $505 per month.

What salary do I need in Nashville, TN to live like I do in Houston, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Houston, TX, you'd need approximately $156,062.176 in Nashville, TN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Houston, TX and Nashville, TN?

Housing in Nashville, TN is 21.0% more expensive than in Houston, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,840/month in Nashville, TN compared to $1,500/month in Houston, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Houston, TX to Nashville, TN?

Living in Nashville, TN costs approximately $505 more per month than Houston, TX, or $6062 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

Houston, TX

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Nashville, TN

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Houston, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $505/month more in Nashville, TN

$150.0K in your current city equals $156.1K in Nashville, TN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 6.7%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$505

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$6.1K

Per year

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

Houston, TX

Population:2305K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$245K

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:107

Median Home:$489K

Houston, TX

The Lone Star State

2.3M

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Energy capital of the world
•NASA Mission Control
•Diverse port city

Major Industries

EnergyAerospaceHealthcareInternational Trade

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: Houston, TX vs Nashville, TN

Category	Houston, TX	Nashville, TN	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,191/mo	$2,651/mo	↑ $460more	21.0%
📦Other	$1,768/mo	$1,942/mo	↑ $174more	9.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,449/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $165less	11.4%
🏥Healthcare	$562/mo	$607/mo	↑ $45.23more	8.0%
🛒Groceries	$911/mo	$949/mo	↑ $37.97more	4.2%
⚡All Utilities	$552/mo	$519/mo	↓ $33.33less	6.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 21.0%

Houston, TX

$2,191

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Difference

$460

📦Other

↑ 9.8%

Houston, TX

$1,768

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Difference

$174

🚗Transportation

↓ 11.4%

Houston, TX

$1,449

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Difference

$165

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 8.0%

Houston, TX

$562

Nashville, TN

$607

Difference

$45.23

🛒Groceries

↑ 4.2%

Houston, TX

$911

Nashville, TN

$949

Difference

$37.97

⚡All Utilities

↓ 6.0%

Houston, TX

$552

Nashville, TN

$519

Difference

$33.33

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,220

To$1,600

↑ $380

1 Bed

From$1,260

To$1,680

↑ $420

2 Bed

From$1,500

To$1,840

↑ $340

3 Bed

From$2,020

To$2,350

↑ $330

Houston, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $880–$1,980/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.

$7,434

Monthly in Houston, TX

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$519

Difference

Home Values

Houston

Nashville

$245K

Median Value

$489K

↓ -3.1%

YoY Change

↓ -2.1%

↑ +23.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.1%

$138K - $1.64M

Price Range

$320K - $1.16M

Homes in Nashville are 99% more expensive than Houston

Calculate payment - Houston 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

Houston, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas 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

Houston, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

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.