The numbers, side by side
| Metric | Austin | Nashville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index | 121 | 110 | -11 |
| 1-bed rent (avg) | $1,700 | $1,550 | -$150 |
| 2-bed rent (avg) | $2,200 | $2,000 | -$200 |
| Median household income | $71,349 | $59,234 | -$12,115 |
| Population | 978,908 | 715,884 | -263,024 |
What salary you'd need in Nashville
To maintain your Austin purchasing power, here's what you'd need to earn in Nashville.
Austin vs Nashville: which makes more sense for you?
On paper, Austin's cost-of-living index of 121 runs roughly 9.1% higher than Nashville's 110. But that headline number papers over real differences in how that cost is distributed — rent might be far more expensive while groceries and transit costs run closer to even.
The rent gap
A 1-bedroom apartment in Austin averages $1,700/month, vs $1,550/month in Nashville — a -$150 difference. For 2-bedrooms, the gap widens to -$200/month. Over a year, the rent difference alone is $1,800 on a 1-bed.
Income context
Median household income in Austin is $71,349, while Nashville runs $59,234 (-$12,115 difference). That matters for how the cost-of-living gap actually feels day-to-day — if local salaries are also higher, the cost difference washes out partly. If local salaries lag the cost-of-living gap, your paycheck buys noticeably less.
State tax differences
Austin is in Texas and Nashville is in Tennessee, so you'll also pick up a state-tax difference. Tax-free states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Washington, and Nevada deliver real take-home upside even when nominal salaries are similar.