Nashville vs Minneapolis

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Tennessee salaries · Minnesota salaries

Living in Nashville vs Minneapolis

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Nashville has a housing index of 108 while Minneapolis sits at 112 (national average = 100). The median home in Nashville costs $380,000 compared to $310,000 in Minneapolis, a difference of $70,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Nashville versus $1,500 in Minneapolis.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Nashville scores 96 while Minneapolis scores 104. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Nashville (98) are lower than Minneapolis (105). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Nashville is $59,828 compared to $64,285 in Minneapolis. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Nashville.

Relocating: Nashville vs Minneapolis

If you are considering a move between Nashville (index: 102) and Minneapolis (index: 106), the 4% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Nashville is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Nashville can afford $1,396/month, while the median household in Minneapolis can afford $1,500/month. With median homes at $380,000 in Nashville versus $310,000 in Minneapolis, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $1,600/month in Nashville and $1,500/month in Minneapolis, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Nashville (102) vs Minneapolis (106)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Nashville at 102 is 2% above the US average, while Minneapolis at 106 is 6% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Nashville and Minneapolis land within 4 points of each other on the composite index (102 vs 106), so the overall cost picture is similar. Groceries shows the widest single-category margin at 96 versus 104, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Nashville and Minneapolis. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Nashville at 108 and Minneapolis at 112 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $380,000 and $310,000 respectively. With nearly identical cost profiles, the deciding factor between Nashville and Minneapolis is more likely income potential, career opportunity, or lifestyle preference than raw cost of living.

For renters: With median rents of $1,600/month in Nashville and $1,500/month in Minneapolis, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,200. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $6,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $70,000 difference in median home prices between Nashville and Minneapolis translates to roughly $4,200 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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