Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Charlotte and Nashville have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · Tennessee salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Charlotte has a housing index of 99 while Nashville sits at 108 (national average = 100). The median home in Charlotte costs $330,000 compared to $380,000 in Nashville, a difference of $50,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Charlotte versus $1,600 in Nashville.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Charlotte scores 101 while Nashville scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Charlotte (105) are higher than Nashville (98). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Charlotte is $62,308 compared to $59,828 in Nashville. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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