Abilene vs Nashville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Nashville
The Verdict
Living in Abilene costs 21.6% less than Nashville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $95,625 in Nashville.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $95,625 in Nashville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Nashville equals $58,824 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Nashville
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Nashville's 108, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $380,000. The $201,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,068 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,600/mo in Nashville, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 96 in Nashville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $456/month in Nashville. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 92 in Nashville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $368 in Nashville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 98 in Nashville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $59,828 in Nashville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $58,655 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,396/month in Nashville. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Nashville, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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