Quick answer
Nashville is 48% cheaper than Raleigh overall. A $100K salary in Nashville is equivalent to $148,000 in Raleigh.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Nashville vs Raleigh 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 48% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-3% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$148,000
Nashville vs Raleigh: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,520/mo
$1,480/mo
-3%
2BR median rent
$1,950/mo
$1,860/mo
-5%
Median home price
$445K
$420K
-6%
Avg monthly groceries
$355
$350
-1%
Avg monthly utilities
$160
$145
-9%
State income tax
None
4.5%
Nashville saves
Walk score
28/100
34/100
Raleigh better
Transit score
22/100
25/100
Raleigh better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of living as your current Nashville salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$89,000
$40,000
$80,000
$119,000
$54,000
$100,000
$148,000
$67,000
$120,000
$178,000
$81,000
$150,000
$222,000
$101,000
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 Raleigh
Who Each City Is Best For
Nashville is best for
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓music industry professionals
- ✓entrepreneurs
- ✓young professionals
Raleigh is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓researchers
- ✓young families
FAQs
Is Nashville or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Nashville is 48% cheaper than Raleigh overall. Nashville 1BR rent ($1,520/mo) vs Raleigh ($1,480/mo). Median home price: Nashville $445K vs Raleigh $420K.
How much salary do I need in Raleigh to match $100K in Nashville?
$148,000 in Raleigh is equivalent to $100,000 in Nashville based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-3% difference) and state taxes (Nashville: None vs Raleigh: 4.5%).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Raleigh?
1BR: Nashville $1,520/mo vs Raleigh $1,480/mo (-3%). 2BR: Nashville $1,950/mo vs Raleigh $1,860/mo (-5%).
Does Nashville or Raleigh have lower taxes?
Nashville (TN) has None state income tax. Raleigh (NC) has 4.5% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$4,500.