CITY COMPARISON

Houston, TX vs Nashville, TN cost of living

Nashville, TN is 2.3% less expensive than Houston, TX on the latest overall regional price parity. A $100,000 lifestyle in Houston, TX is roughly equivalent to $98,000 in Nashville, TN before personal adjustments.

Calculate your exact salary

Houston, TX and Nashville, TN side-by-side

MeasureHouston, TXNashville, TN
Overall price parity98.696.3
Housing rent parity104.5104.6
Median gross rent$1,469$1,627
HUD 1BR fair-market rent$1,261$1,650
Median household income$81,417$88,800

Latest available BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), U.S. Census ACS rent data (2024) and HUD Fair Market Rents (2027). Values are metro-wide estimates, not quotes.

The full Houston, TX vs Nashville, TN cost of living comparison

Equivalent salary from Houston, TX to Nashville, TN

For every $100,000 earned in Houston, TX, the broad price-parity equivalent is about $98,000 in Nashville, TN. A real relocation decision should also include state taxes, actual housing, benefits, commute and one-time moving costs.

Who should pick Houston, TX?

Who should pick Nashville, TN?

Houston, TX vs Nashville, TN FAQ

Is Nashville, TN more expensive than Houston, TX?

Nashville, TN is 2.3% less expensive than Houston, TX on the latest overall regional price parity. A $100,000 lifestyle in Houston, TX is roughly equivalent to $98,000 in Nashville, TN before personal adjustments.

What salary in Nashville, TN matches $100,000 in Houston, TX?

The official price-parity estimate is approximately $98,000, before taxes and household-specific costs such as actual rent, commute and benefits.

Which city has better job opportunities, Houston, TX or Nashville, TN?

Houston, TX: No state income tax, Lowest housing costs of the major Texas metros, Energy, aerospace and international trade jobs, Highly diverse, international population. Nashville, TN: No state income tax on wages, Booming healthcare and music jobs, Major corporate-relocation hub, Strong population and job growth. The better fit depends on your industry, tax situation and lifestyle priorities.

Explore more comparisons

  • See all 105 city comparisons →
  • Related tools