Nashville, TN vs New York, NY: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, New York, NY is 16.8% more expensive than Nashville, TN (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Nashville works out to about $87,600 in New York, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is everyday costs rather than housing: goods are 14.6% higher and other services 11.2% higher in New York, while housing is 42.0% higher.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 76.5% higher in New York.
- Typical asking rent is $3,546 a month in New York and $1,803 in Nashville, $20,916 a year more in New York (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $731,000 in New York and $449,000 in Nashville.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when New York was 20.0% more expensive than Nashville.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Everyday costs, not housing, drive the gap between Nashville and New York
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Nashville, TN | New York, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 96.3 | 112.6 |
| Goods | 96.2 | 110.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 104.6 | 148.6 |
| Utilities | 72.0 | 127.0 |
| Other services | 95.1 | 105.8 |
| Category | Nashville | New York | New York vs Nashville |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 96.3 | 112.6 | +16.8% |
| Goods | 96.2 | 110.3 | +14.6% |
| Housing (rents) | 104.6 | 148.6 | +42.0% |
| Utilities | 72.0 | 127.0 | +76.5% |
| Other services | 95.1 | 105.8 | +11.2% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,803 | $3,546 | +96.7% |
| Typical home value | $449,000 | $731,000 | +62.8% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Nashville | $75,000 | $87,600 | +16.8% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Nashville and New York has narrowed since 2008: 17.8 points then, 16.2 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Nashville, TN | New York, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.7 | 113.5 |
| 2009 | 95.2 | 114.8 |
| 2010 | 96.7 | 113.2 |
| 2011 | 97.0 | 114.6 |
| 2012 | 97.4 | 113.8 |
| 2013 | 97.6 | 113.3 |
| 2014 | 97.3 | 113.2 |
| 2015 | 97.3 | 113.3 |
| 2016 | 99.3 | 113.7 |
| 2017 | 98.5 | 113.6 |
| 2018 | 94.0 | 114.5 |
| 2019 | 95.8 | 114.9 |
| 2020 | 95.9 | 115.6 |
| 2021 | 95.2 | 114.8 |
| 2022 | 96.5 | 113.0 |
| 2023 | 97.0 | 112.6 |
| 2024 | 96.3 | 112.6 |
Goods
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Nashville, TN | New York, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.1 | 110.8 |
| 2009 | 94.8 | 109.1 |
| 2010 | 96.9 | 107.2 |
| 2011 | 96.7 | 107.9 |
| 2012 | 96.6 | 110.3 |
| 2013 | 97.0 | 109.7 |
| 2014 | 97.3 | 108.9 |
| 2015 | 96.2 | 109.4 |
| 2016 | 97.0 | 109.0 |
| 2017 | 96.7 | 108.7 |
| 2018 | 92.3 | 109.4 |
| 2019 | 94.5 | 108.2 |
| 2020 | 94.3 | 108.6 |
| 2021 | 93.9 | 104.3 |
| 2022 | 94.5 | 107.8 |
| 2023 | 94.3 | 108.3 |
| 2024 | 96.2 | 110.3 |
Housing (rents)
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Nashville, TN | New York, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 89.4 | 166.7 |
| 2009 | 92.4 | 166.9 |
| 2010 | 91.5 | 169.2 |
| 2011 | 89.2 | 168.3 |
| 2012 | 89.8 | 169.7 |
| 2013 | 93.7 | 167.7 |
| 2014 | 91.2 | 168.0 |
| 2015 | 91.4 | 164.8 |
| 2016 | 98.8 | 164.8 |
| 2017 | 100.2 | 160.8 |
| 2018 | 99.8 | 159.2 |
| 2019 | 102.5 | 159.4 |
| 2020 | 107.0 | 163.8 |
| 2021 | 104.4 | 160.5 |
| 2022 | 105.3 | 154.3 |
| 2023 | 106.9 | 149.7 |
| 2024 | 104.6 | 148.6 |
Utilities
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Nashville, TN | New York, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 80.9 | 145.8 |
| 2009 | 81.2 | 144.3 |
| 2010 | 81.9 | 137.4 |
| 2011 | 84.5 | 134.8 |
| 2012 | 84.3 | 130.0 |
| 2013 | 82.6 | 128.9 |
| 2014 | 84.7 | 122.4 |
| 2015 | 84.0 | 117.2 |
| 2016 | 83.0 | 120.9 |
| 2017 | 81.1 | 122.8 |
| 2018 | 77.5 | 127.9 |
| 2019 | 75.7 | 128.7 |
| 2020 | 73.4 | 135.2 |
| 2021 | 75.7 | 132.0 |
| 2022 | 77.1 | 119.8 |
| 2023 | 76.6 | 129.1 |
| 2024 | 72.0 | 127.0 |
Other services
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Nashville, TN | New York, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.0 | 103.5 |
| 2009 | 97.5 | 106.1 |
| 2010 | 99.6 | 104.5 |
| 2011 | 101.2 | 106.9 |
| 2012 | 101.5 | 104.1 |
| 2013 | 100.5 | 104.1 |
| 2014 | 100.2 | 104.7 |
| 2015 | 100.9 | 105.3 |
| 2016 | 102.2 | 106.1 |
| 2017 | 100.3 | 106.8 |
| 2018 | 94.5 | 108.2 |
| 2019 | 95.9 | 109.3 |
| 2020 | 95.1 | 108.1 |
| 2021 | 94.5 | 110.7 |
| 2022 | 96.6 | 107.2 |
| 2023 | 97.1 | 106.7 |
| 2024 | 95.1 | 105.8 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $3,546 in New York vs $1,803 in Nashville
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Nashville, TN | New York, NY | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,127 | $2,260 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,156 | $2,309 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,169 | $2,335 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,165 | $2,314 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,195 | $2,324 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,219 | $2,367 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,228 | $2,384 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,216 | $2,361 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,253 | $2,371 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,273 | $2,418 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,282 | $2,428 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,263 | $2,387 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,289 | $2,407 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,311 | $2,461 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,309 | $2,483 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,312 | $2,454 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,329 | $2,478 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,361 | $2,538 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,366 | $2,559 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,362 | $2,535 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,384 | $2,557 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,395 | $2,514 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,398 | $2,394 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,393 | $2,309 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,421 | $2,345 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,504 | $2,467 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,600 | $2,637 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,634 | $2,713 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,674 | $2,808 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,740 | $2,948 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,752 | $3,027 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,728 | $2,971 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,750 | $3,009 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,769 | $3,103 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,760 | $3,133 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,729 | $3,092 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,750 | $3,145 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,780 | $3,226 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,771 | $3,239 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,749 | $3,218 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,764 | $3,278 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,786 | $3,360 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,781 | $3,403 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,757 | $3,364 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,762 | $3,410 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,792 | $3,511 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,803 | $3,546 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $731,000 in New York vs $449,000 in Nashville
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Nashville, TN | New York, NY | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $203K | $412K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $208K | $415K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $214K | $420K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $221K | $428K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $227K | $432K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $233K | $436K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $239K | $438K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $247K | $443K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $254K | $451K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $260K | $458K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $265K | $463K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $271K | $468K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $278K | $473K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $283K | $480K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $287K | $486K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $289K | $489K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $292K | $493K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $294K | $498K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $297K | $499K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $302K | $502K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $308K | $509K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $311K | $514K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $316K | $514K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $327K | $529K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $340K | $548K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $358K | $564K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $377K | $572K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $396K | $582K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $426K | $597K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $454K | $617K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $457K | $619K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $448K | $613K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $441K | $611K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $444K | $621K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $445K | $631K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $446K | $639K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $449K | $651K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $453K | $665K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $452K | $675K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $453K | $684K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $455K | $688K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $453K | $693K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $451K | $697K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $452K | $706K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $451K | $716K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $449K | $722K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $449K | $731K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Nashville, TN
- Cost of living in New York, NY
- Reverse: moving from New York to Nashville
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.