Quick answer
Nashville is 101% cheaper than Minneapolis overall. A $100K salary in Nashville is equivalent to $201,000 in Minneapolis.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Nashville vs Minneapolis Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Nashville is 101% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-9% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$201,000
Nashville vs Minneapolis: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,520/mo
$1,380/mo
-9%
2BR median rent
$1,950/mo
$1,750/mo
-10%
Median home price
$445K
$320K
-28%
Avg monthly groceries
$355
$360
+1%
Avg monthly utilities
$160
$155
-3%
State income tax
None
Up to 9.85%
Nashville saves
Walk score
28/100
69/100
Minneapolis better
Transit score
22/100
55/100
Minneapolis better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Minneapolis to maintain the same standard of living as your current Nashville salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$120,000
$30,000
$80,000
$161,000
$40,000
$100,000
$201,000
$50,000
$120,000
$241,000
$60,000
$150,000
$301,000
$75,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Nashville vs Minneapolis
Who Each City Is Best For
Nashville is best for
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓music industry professionals
- ✓entrepreneurs
- ✓young professionals
Minneapolis is best for
- ✓corporate professionals
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts (winter sports)
- ✓arts and culture seekers
FAQs
Is Nashville or Minneapolis cheaper to live in?
Nashville is 101% cheaper than Minneapolis overall. Nashville 1BR rent ($1,520/mo) vs Minneapolis ($1,380/mo). Median home price: Nashville $445K vs Minneapolis $320K.
How much salary do I need in Minneapolis to match $100K in Nashville?
$201,000 in Minneapolis is equivalent to $100,000 in Nashville based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-9% difference) and state taxes (Nashville: None vs Minneapolis: Up to 9.85%).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Minneapolis?
1BR: Nashville $1,520/mo vs Minneapolis $1,380/mo (-9%). 2BR: Nashville $1,950/mo vs Minneapolis $1,750/mo (-10%).
Does Nashville or Minneapolis have lower taxes?
Nashville (TN) has None state income tax. Minneapolis (MN) has Up to 9.85% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$9,850.