Is Nashville, TN cheaper than St. Paul, MN?

Based on cost of living data, Nashville, TN is 1.9% cheaper than St. Paul, MN. This translates to saving $143 per month.

What salary do I need in Nashville, TN to live like I do in St. Paul, MN?

If you earn $150,000 in St. Paul, MN, you'd need approximately $148,285.714 in Nashville, TN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between St. Paul, MN and Nashville, TN?

Housing in Nashville, TN is 1.9% cheaper than in St. Paul, MN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,840/month in Nashville, TN compared to $1,680/month in St. Paul, MN.

How much can I save per month by moving from St. Paul, MN to Nashville, TN?

Moving from St. Paul, MN to Nashville, TN could save you approximately $143 per month, or $1714 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

St. Paul, MN vs Nashville, TN: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 St. Paul, MN — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Saint Paul, MN area

Current salary in St. Paul, MN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $143/month moving to Nashville, TN

$150.0K in your current city equals $148.3K in Nashville, TN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI area

Overall Cost

↓ 1.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$143

Savings

Annual Impact

$1.7K

Per year

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

St. Paul, MN

Population:304K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$274K

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:98

Median Home:$489K

St. Paul, MN

The North Star State

304K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 304K 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: St. Paul, MN vs Nashville, TN

Category	St. Paul, MN	Nashville, TN	Difference	Change
📦Other	$1,724/mo	$1,942/mo	↑ $218more	12.6%
🏥Healthcare	$756/mo	$607/mo	↓ $149less	19.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,380/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $95.62less	6.9%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$949/mo	↓ $79.94less	7.8%
🏠Housing	$2,703/mo	$2,651/mo	↓ $51.97less	1.9%
⚡All Utilities	$508/mo	$519/mo	↑ $10.93more	2.2%

📦Other

↑ 12.6%

St. Paul, MN

$1,724

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Difference

$218

🏥Healthcare

↓ 19.7%

St. Paul, MN

$756

Nashville, TN

$607

Difference

$149

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 6.9%

St. Paul, MN

$1,380

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Difference

$95.62

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 7.8%

St. Paul, MN

$1,029

Nashville, TN

$949

Difference

$79.94

less

🏠Housing

↓ 1.9%

St. Paul, MN

$2,703

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Difference

$51.97

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 2.2%

St. Paul, MN

$508

Nashville, TN

$519

Difference

$10.93

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,220

To$1,600

↑ $380

1 Bed

From$1,380

To$1,680

↑ $300

2 Bed

From$1,680

To$1,840

↑ $160

3 Bed

From$2,225

To$2,350

↑ $125

St. Paul, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,250–$1,680/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.

$8,100

Monthly in St. Paul, MN

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$148

Difference

Home Values

St. Paul

Nashville

Median Value

$489K

YoY Change

↓ -2.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.1%

Price Range

$320K - $1.16M

Calculate payment - Nashville

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $10.4K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$869

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.0%

Rate difference

St. Paul, MN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Minnesota State Tax

Effective: 7.0%

$10.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.6%

$47.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,546/month

$102.6K

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

St. Paul, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

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.