Is Nashville, TN cheaper than Waterloo, IA?

Based on cost of living data, Nashville, TN is 15.4% more expensive than Waterloo, IA. This translates to spending an extra $1157 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Waterloo, IA, you'd need approximately $163,881.104 in Nashville, TN to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Nashville, TN is 42.9% more expensive than in Waterloo, IA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,840/month in Nashville, TN compared to $893/month in Waterloo, IA.

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

Living in Nashville, TN costs approximately $1157 more per month than Waterloo, IA, or $13881 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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

Current salary in Waterloo, IA

Numbers update automatically as you type

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

$150.0K in your current city equals $163.9K in Nashville, TN

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

Overall Cost

↑ 15.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,157

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$13.9K

Per year

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

Waterloo, IA

Population:67K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$144K

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:115

Median Home:$489K

Waterloo, IA

The Hawkeye State

67K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 67K 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: Waterloo, IA vs Nashville, TN

Category	Waterloo, IA	Nashville, TN	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,855/mo	$2,651/mo	↑ $795more	42.9%
📦Other	$1,593/mo	$1,942/mo	↑ $348more	21.9%
🏥Healthcare	$679/mo	$607/mo	↓ $71.45less	10.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,233/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $51.52more	4.2%
⚡All Utilities	$468/mo	$519/mo	↑ $51.17more	10.9%
🛒Groceries	$905/mo	$949/mo	↑ $43.83more	4.8%

🏠Housing

↑ 42.9%

Waterloo, IA

$1,855

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Difference

$795

📦Other

↑ 21.9%

Waterloo, IA

$1,593

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Difference

$348

🏥Healthcare

↓ 10.5%

Waterloo, IA

$679

Nashville, TN

$607

Difference

$71.45

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 4.2%

Waterloo, IA

$1,233

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Difference

$51.52

⚡All Utilities

↑ 10.9%

Waterloo, IA

$468

Nashville, TN

$519

Difference

$51.17

🛒Groceries

↑ 4.8%

Waterloo, IA

$905

Nashville, TN

$949

Difference

$43.83

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$615

To$1,600

↑ $985

1 Bed

From$683

To$1,680

↑ $997

2 Bed

From$893

To$1,840

↑ $947

3 Bed

From$1,155

To$2,350

↑ $1,195

Waterloo, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $750–$810/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.

$6,733

Monthly in Waterloo, IA

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$1,219

Difference

Home Values

Waterloo

Nashville

$144K

Median Value

$489K

↑ +1.2%

YoY Change

↓ -2.1%

↑ +31.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.1%

$92K - $181K

Price Range

$320K - $1.16M

Homes in Nashville are 240% more expensive than Waterloo

Calculate payment - Waterloo 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

Waterloo, 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

Waterloo, 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

Waterloo

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 Waterloo, IA 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

Waterloo, IA

Nashville, TN

Waterloo, IA

Nashville, TN

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code3 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code19 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP3 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP17 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Waterloo, IA

Nashville, TN

Additional Tax Information

Waterloo, IA Tax Rates

Nashville, TN Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Nashville, TN