ReloMath

Nashville, TN vs Philadelphia, PA: Cost of Living

Compare the cost of living between Nashville, TN and Philadelphia, PA. 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.

Philadelphia, PA

PA

Overall RPP (US=100)
100.7
Housing RPP
115.8
Goods RPP
95.5
2-BR median rent
$1,737/mo

Pennsylvania flat income tax 3.07%. Philadelphia city wage tax 3.75% residents.

Equivalent salary

Philadelphia, PA is more expensive than Nashville, TN by about 4.2% (RPP 96.6 to 100.7).

$60,000 in Nashville, TN

-> $62,547

in Philadelphia, PA

$100,000 in Nashville, TN

-> $104,244

in Philadelphia, PA

$150,000 in Nashville, TN

-> $156,366

in Philadelphia, PA

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 Philadelphia, PA cheaper or more expensive than Nashville, TN?
Philadelphia, PA (RPP 100.7) is more expensive than Nashville, TN (RPP 96.6) by about 4.2%.
What salary do I need in Philadelphia, PA if I earn $100,000 in Nashville, TN?
You would need approximately $104,244 in Philadelphia, PA to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Nashville, TN. Formula: $100,000 x (100.7 / 96.6).