Memphis vs Nashville Cost of Living
Nashville is approximately 11.2% more expensive than Memphis. See salary equivalence, taxes, and side-by-side breakdown.
Memphis, TN
Nashville, TN
| Salary in Memphis | Equivalent in Nashville | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $55,600 | +$5,600 (+11.2%) |
| $75,000 | $83,400 | +$8,400 (+11.2%) |
| $100,000 | $111,200 | +$11,200 (+11.2%) |
| $150,000 | $166,900 | +$16,900 (+11.3%) |
| $200,000 | $222,500 | +$22,500 (+11.3%) |
Memphis vs Nashville: which is more affordable?
On an overall cost-of-living basis, Nashville is 11.2% more expensive than Memphis. That means if you currently spend $5,000/month in Memphis, you'd spend approximately $5,562 for the same lifestyle in Nashville. Or: $100,000 in Memphis ≈ $111,236 in Nashville for equivalent purchasing power.
These multipliers are based on Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities and reflect average housing, food, transportation, and services costs. Real personal costs vary by neighborhood (urban core vs suburb), housing choice (rent vs own, apartment vs house), and lifestyle (frequency of dining out, car-dependent vs transit, etc.).
Tax differences
Both Tennessee and Tennessee have no state income tax — the move doesn't change your state tax burden.
What costs more (and less) in Nashville
Cost of living differences are driven mostly by housing — typically the biggest expense category. Nashville's housing index (0.68×) compared to Memphis's (0.50×) is the dominant factor.
Food, groceries, and transportation typically vary 5–15% between metros — much less than housing. For a couple moving from Memphis to Nashville, expect roughly:
- Rent / mortgage: 36% higher
- Groceries: 6% higher
- Transportation: 5% higher
- Healthcare, services: roughly proportional to overall index
Things this calculator can't fully capture
- Quality-of-life: weather, walkability, school quality, crime rates, commute times — not in the index.
- Career opportunities: a metro with higher cost-of-living often pays correspondingly higher salaries for the same role. See our salary calculator by job and city.
- Family situation: childcare, school district, eldercare costs vary independently of overall index.
- Lifestyle preferences: a frugal renter pays less than the index suggests; a property owner in a hot market might pay much more.
Related tools
Memphis Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home in Memphis. Nashville Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home in Nashville. Salary Calculator — hourly ↔ annual conversion. Inflation Calculator — purchasing power over time. Mortgage Calculator — what you can afford.