Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
37% cheaper
Nashville is 37% more affordable than Boston. A $75,000 salary in Boston is equivalent to $47,222 in Nashville.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Massachusetts salaries · Tennessee salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Boston has a housing index of 242 while Nashville sits at 108 (national average = 100). The median home in Boston costs $620,000 compared to $380,000 in Nashville, a difference of $240,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,800 in Boston versus $1,600 in Nashville.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Boston scores 108 while Nashville scores 96.
Healthcare costs in Boston (118) are higher than Nashville (98).
Median household income in Boston is $76,298 compared to $59,828 in Nashville. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Nashville.
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