Is Nashville, TN cheaper than Opelika, AL?

Based on cost of living data, Nashville, TN is 22.1% more expensive than Opelika, AL. This translates to spending an extra $1661 per month.

What salary do I need in Nashville, TN to live like I do in Opelika, AL?

If you earn $150,000 in Opelika, AL, you'd need approximately $169,928.725 in Nashville, TN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Opelika, AL and Nashville, TN?

Housing in Nashville, TN is 58.0% more expensive than in Opelika, AL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,840/month in Nashville, TN compared to $906/month in Opelika, AL.

How much can I save per month by moving from Opelika, AL to Nashville, TN?

Living in Nashville, TN costs approximately $1661 more per month than Opelika, AL, or $19929 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Opelika, AL vs Nashville, TN: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Opelika, AL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Columbus, GA area

Current salary in Opelika, AL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.7K/month more in Nashville, TN

$150.0K in your current city equals $169.9K in Nashville, TN

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

Overall Cost

↑ 22.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,661

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$19.9K

Per year

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

Opelika, AL

Population:34K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$287K

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:122

Median Home:$489K

Opelika, AL

The Heart of Dixie

34K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Alabama, 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: Opelika, AL vs Nashville, TN

Category	Opelika, AL	Nashville, TN	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,678/mo	$2,651/mo	↑ $973more	58.0%
📦Other	$1,525/mo	$1,942/mo	↑ $417more	27.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,403/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $119less	8.5%
🏥Healthcare	$506/mo	$607/mo	↑ $101more	19.9%
⚡All Utilities	$576/mo	$519/mo	↓ $56.52less	9.8%
🛒Groceries	$944/mo	$949/mo	↑ $4.86more	0.5%

🏠Housing

↑ 58.0%

Opelika, AL

$1,678

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Difference

$973

📦Other

↑ 27.3%

Opelika, AL

$1,525

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Difference

$417

🚗Transportation

↓ 8.5%

Opelika, AL

$1,403

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Difference

$119

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 19.9%

Opelika, AL

$506

Nashville, TN

$607

Difference

$101

⚡All Utilities

↓ 9.8%

Opelika, AL

$576

Nashville, TN

$519

Difference

$56.52

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.5%

Opelika, AL

$944

Nashville, TN

$949

Difference

$4.86

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Opelika, AL: Opelika Occupational Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

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$651

To$1,600

↑ $949

1 Bed

From$824

To$1,680

↑ $856

2 Bed

From$906

To$1,840

↑ $934

3 Bed

From$1,145

To$2,350

↑ $1,205

Opelika, ALZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,000–$1,000/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.

$6,633

Monthly in Opelika, AL

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$1,320

Difference

Home Values

Opelika

Nashville

$287K

Median Value

$489K

↑ +3.3%

YoY Change

↓ -2.1%

↑ +34.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.1%

$287K

Price Range

$320K - $1.16M

Homes in Nashville are 70% more expensive than Opelika

Calculate payment - Opelika Calculate payment - Nashville

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.5K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$622

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.0%

Rate difference

Opelika, AL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Alabama State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,794/month

$105.5K

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

Opelika, AL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.1%

Property Tax:0.4%

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

Opelika

Nashville

49 Good

Air Quality

50 Good

52.7%

Good Air Days

51.6%

82 Moderate

Climate Risk

97 High

None

Top Hazards

🌊🫨🌪

▲+2.8°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.8°F

64 days

Heat Days >95°F

42 days

▲+2.8°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.8°F

64 days

Heat Days >95°F

42 days

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

Similar cost to Nashville, TN

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You'd spend $1.7K/month more in Nashville, TN

Opelika, AL

Nashville, TN

Opelika, AL

Nashville, TN

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code19 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP17 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Opelika, AL

Nashville, TN

Additional Tax Information

Opelika, AL Tax Rates

Nashville, TN Tax Rates

Environment

Similar cost to Nashville, TN