Is Nashville, TN cheaper than Urbandale, IA?

Based on cost of living data, Nashville, TN is 18.4% more expensive than Urbandale, IA. This translates to spending an extra $1377 per month.

What salary do I need in Nashville, TN to live like I do in Urbandale, IA?

If you earn $150,000 in Urbandale, IA, you'd need approximately $166,521.038 in Nashville, TN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Urbandale, IA and Nashville, TN?

Housing in Nashville, TN is 46.5% more expensive than in Urbandale, IA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,840/month in Nashville, TN compared to $1,093/month in Urbandale, IA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Urbandale, IA to Nashville, TN?

Living in Nashville, TN costs approximately $1377 more per month than Urbandale, IA, or $16521 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Urbandale, IA vs Nashville, TN: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Urbandale, IA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Des Moines, IA area

Current salary in Urbandale, IA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.4K/month more in Nashville, TN

$150.0K in your current city equals $166.5K in Nashville, TN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area

Overall Cost

↑ 18.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,377

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$16.5K

Per year

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

Urbandale, IA

Population:47K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$284K

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:118

Median Home:$489K

Urbandale, IA

The Hawkeye State

47K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 47K 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: Urbandale, IA vs Nashville, TN

Category	Urbandale, IA	Nashville, TN	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,809/mo	$2,651/mo	↑ $841more	46.5%
📦Other	$1,554/mo	$1,942/mo	↑ $388more	25.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,202/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $82.07more	6.8%
🏥Healthcare	$670/mo	$607/mo	↓ $62.99less	9.4%
⚡All Utilities	$462/mo	$519/mo	↑ $57.01more	12.3%
🛒Groceries	$894/mo	$949/mo	↑ $55.13more	6.2%

🏠Housing

↑ 46.5%

Urbandale, IA

$1,809

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Difference

$841

📦Other

↑ 25.0%

Urbandale, IA

$1,554

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Difference

$388

🚗Transportation

↑ 6.8%

Urbandale, IA

$1,202

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Difference

$82.07

🏥Healthcare

↓ 9.4%

Urbandale, IA

$670

Nashville, TN

$607

Difference

$62.99

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 12.3%

Urbandale, IA

$462

Nashville, TN

$519

Difference

$57.01

🛒Groceries

↑ 6.2%

Urbandale, IA

$894

Nashville, TN

$949

Difference

$55.13

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$879

To$1,600

↑ $721

1 Bed

From$921

To$1,680

↑ $759

2 Bed

From$1,093

To$1,840

↑ $747

3 Bed

From$1,488

To$2,350

↑ $862

Urbandale, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,120–$1,120/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.

$6,592

Monthly in Urbandale, IA

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$1,361

Difference

Home Values

Urbandale

Nashville

$284K

Median Value

$489K

↑ +2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -2.1%

↑ +31.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.1%

$284K

Price Range

$320K - $1.16M

Homes in Nashville are 72% more expensive than Urbandale

Calculate payment - Urbandale Calculate payment - Nashville

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $10.7K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$892

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Urbandale, IA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Iowa State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.7K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.7K

Take-Home Pay

$8,524/month

$102.3K

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

Urbandale, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:1.5%

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

Urbandale

Nashville

45 Good

Air Quality

50 Good

67.5%

Good Air Days

51.6%

92 Moderate

Climate Risk

97 High

🌡☀🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🫨🌪

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.8°F

25 days

Heat Days >95°F

42 days

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.8°F

25 days

Heat Days >95°F

42 days

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

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Urbandale, IA on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Nashville, TN

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New Comparison

You'd spend $1.4K/month more in Nashville, TN

Urbandale, IA

Nashville, TN

Urbandale, IA

Nashville, TN

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code19 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP17 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Urbandale, IA

Nashville, TN

Additional Tax Information

Urbandale, IA Tax Rates

Nashville, TN Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Nashville, TN