Is Nashville, TN cheaper than Topeka, KS?

Based on cost of living data, Nashville, TN is 16.1% more expensive than Topeka, KS. This translates to spending an extra $1205 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Topeka, KS, you'd need approximately $164,464.866 in Nashville, TN to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Nashville, TN is 41.9% more expensive than in Topeka, KS. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,840/month in Nashville, TN compared to $914/month in Topeka, KS.

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

Living in Nashville, TN costs approximately $1205 more per month than Topeka, KS, or $14465 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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

Current salary in Topeka, KS

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.2K/month more in Nashville, TN

$150.0K in your current city equals $164.5K in Nashville, TN

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

Overall Cost

↑ 16.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,205

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$14.5K

Per year

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

Topeka, KS

Population:125K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$151K

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:116

Median Home:$489K

Topeka, KS

The Sunflower State

125K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Kansas, this city has a population of 125K 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: Topeka, KS vs Nashville, TN

Category	Topeka, KS	Nashville, TN	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,868/mo	$2,651/mo	↑ $783more	41.9%
📦Other	$1,585/mo	$1,942/mo	↑ $357more	22.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,199/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $85.35more	7.1%
⚡All Utilities	$532/mo	$519/mo	↓ $12.62less	2.4%
🛒Groceries	$943/mo	$949/mo	↑ $6.68more	0.7%
🏥Healthcare	$603/mo	$607/mo	↑ $4.27more	0.7%

🏠Housing

↑ 41.9%

Topeka, KS

$1,868

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Difference

$783

📦Other

↑ 22.6%

Topeka, KS

$1,585

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Difference

$357

🚗Transportation

↑ 7.1%

Topeka, KS

$1,199

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Difference

$85.35

⚡All Utilities

↓ 2.4%

Topeka, KS

$532

Nashville, TN

$519

Difference

$12.62

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.7%

Topeka, KS

$943

Nashville, TN

$949

Difference

$6.68

🏥Healthcare

↑ 0.7%

Topeka, KS

$603

Nashville, TN

$607

Difference

$4.27

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$687

To$1,600

↑ $913

1 Bed

From$712

To$1,680

↑ $968

2 Bed

From$914

To$1,840

↑ $926

3 Bed

From$1,207

To$2,350

↑ $1,143

Topeka, KSZIP-level data

1BR range: $680–$1,230/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.

$6,728

Monthly in Topeka, KS

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$1,224

Difference

Home Values

Topeka

Nashville

$151K

Median Value

$489K

↓ -1.3%

YoY Change

↓ -2.1%

↑ +43%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.1%

$63K - $374K

Price Range

$320K - $1.16M

Homes in Nashville are 224% more expensive than Topeka

Calculate payment - Topeka 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

Topeka, 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

Topeka, 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

Topeka

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 Topeka, 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 $1.2K/month more in Nashville, TN

Topeka, KS

Nashville, TN

Topeka, KS

Nashville, TN

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code15 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code19 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP15 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP17 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Topeka, KS

Nashville, TN

Additional Tax Information

Topeka, KS Tax Rates

Nashville, TN Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Nashville, TN