Is Nashville, TN cheaper than Lawrence, KS?

Based on cost of living data, Nashville, TN is 17.8% more expensive than Lawrence, KS. This translates to spending an extra $1332 per month.

What salary do I need in Nashville, TN to live like I do in Lawrence, KS?

If you earn $150,000 in Lawrence, KS, you'd need approximately $165,989.801 in Nashville, TN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Lawrence, KS and Nashville, TN?

Housing in Nashville, TN is 44.0% more expensive than in Lawrence, KS. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,840/month in Nashville, TN compared to $979/month in Lawrence, KS.

How much can I save per month by moving from Lawrence, KS to Nashville, TN?

Living in Nashville, TN costs approximately $1332 more per month than Lawrence, KS, or $15990 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Lawrence, KS vs Nashville, TN: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Lawrence, KS — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Kansas City, MO area

Current salary in Lawrence, KS

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in Nashville, TN

$150.0K in your current city equals $166.0K in Nashville, TN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Kansas City, MO-KS area

Overall Cost

↑ 17.8%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,332

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$16.0K

Per year

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

Lawrence, KS

Population:96K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$307K

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:118

Median Home:$489K

Lawrence, KS

The Sunflower State

96K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Kansas, this city has a population of 96K 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: Lawrence, KS vs Nashville, TN

Category	Lawrence, KS	Nashville, TN	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,841/mo	$2,651/mo	↑ $810more	44.0%
📦Other	$1,562/mo	$1,942/mo	↑ $380more	24.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,181/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $103more	8.7%
🛒Groceries	$936/mo	$949/mo	↑ $13.48more	1.4%
⚡All Utilities	$528/mo	$519/mo	↓ $8.79less	1.7%
🏥Healthcare	$599/mo	$607/mo	↑ $8.63more	1.4%

🏠Housing

↑ 44.0%

Lawrence, KS

$1,841

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Difference

$810

📦Other

↑ 24.3%

Lawrence, KS

$1,562

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Difference

$380

🚗Transportation

↑ 8.7%

Lawrence, KS

$1,181

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Difference

$103

🛒Groceries

↑ 1.4%

Lawrence, KS

$936

Nashville, TN

$949

Difference

$13.48

⚡All Utilities

↓ 1.7%

Lawrence, KS

$528

Nashville, TN

$519

Difference

$8.79

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 1.4%

Lawrence, KS

$599

Nashville, TN

$607

Difference

$8.63

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$743

To$1,600

↑ $857

1 Bed

From$834

To$1,680

↑ $846

2 Bed

From$979

To$1,840

↑ $861

3 Bed

From$1,359

To$2,350

↑ $991

Lawrence, KSZIP-level data

1BR range: $920–$1,060/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.

$6,646

Monthly in Lawrence, KS

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$1,306

Difference

Home Values

Lawrence

Nashville

$307K

Median Value

$489K

↑ +2.5%

YoY Change

↓ -2.1%

↑ +41%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.1%

$262K - $377K

Price Range

$320K - $1.16M

Homes in Nashville are 59% more expensive than Lawrence

Calculate payment - Lawrence Calculate payment - Nashville

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $8.4K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$702

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.6%

Rate difference

Lawrence, KS

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Kansas State Tax

Effective: 5.6%

$8.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.3%

$45.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,714/month

$104.6K

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

Lawrence, KS Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.7%

Property Tax:1.3%

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

Lawrence

Nashville

46 Good

Air Quality

50 Good

59.3%

Good Air Days

51.6%

97 High

Climate Risk

97 High

🌊🌡🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🫨🌪

▲+3.3°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.8°F

44 days

Heat Days >95°F

42 days

▲+3.3°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.8°F

44 days

Heat Days >95°F

42 days

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

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Lawrence, KS on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Nashville, TN

Other cities in a similar price range

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in Nashville, TN

Lawrence, KS

Nashville, TN

Lawrence, KS

Nashville, TN

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code4 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code19 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP4 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP17 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Lawrence, KS

Nashville, TN

Additional Tax Information

Lawrence, KS Tax Rates

Nashville, TN Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Nashville, TN