ReloMath

Nashville, TN vs Houston, TX: Cost of Living

Compare the cost of living between Nashville, TN and Houston, TX. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.

Source-verified · June 2026BEA Regional Price Parities by MSA, 2022 (Table 4); HUD FY2024 Fair Market Rents (2-BR) Official source ↗
Source-verified · June 2026BEA Regional Price Parities by MSA, 2022 (Table 4); HUD FY2024 Fair Market Rents (2-BR) Official source ↗

Nashville, TN

TN

Overall RPP (US=100)
96.6
Housing RPP
105.8
Goods RPP
94.4
2-BR median rent
$1,619/mo

Tennessee has no state income tax on wages.

Houston, TX

TX

Overall RPP (US=100)
98.8
Housing RPP
108
Goods RPP
97.9
2-BR median rent
$1,357/mo

Texas has no state income tax. Property taxes ~2% effective rate.

Equivalent salary

Houston, TX is more expensive than Nashville, TN by about 2.3% (RPP 96.6 to 98.8).

$60,000 in Nashville, TN

-> $61,366

in Houston, TX

$100,000 in Nashville, TN

-> $102,277

in Houston, TX

$150,000 in Nashville, TN

-> $153,416

in Houston, TX

This tool provides estimates only. Equivalent-salary figures are derived from BLS Regional Price Parities (RPP) and HUD Fair Market Rents — they are averages, not guarantees. Actual cost of living varies by neighborhood, lifestyle, and individual circumstances. Not financial advice.

Frequently asked questions

Is Houston, TX cheaper or more expensive than Nashville, TN?
Houston, TX (RPP 98.8) is more expensive than Nashville, TN (RPP 96.6) by about 2.3%.
What salary do I need in Houston, TX if I earn $100,000 in Nashville, TN?
You would need approximately $102,277 in Houston, TX to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Nashville, TN. Formula: $100,000 x (98.8 / 96.6).