Home › Compare › Nashville, TN vs Columbus, OH

Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Columbus, OH

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

6.1% Columbus, OH is cheaper overall
20.4% 20.4% cheaper housing
1.1% 1.1% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 20.4% cheaper
Nashville
108
Columbus
86
🛒 Groceries ~Same
Nashville
95
Columbus
96
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Nashville
99
Columbus
98
🏥 Healthcare ~Same
Nashville
93
Columbus
94
⚡ Utilities 2.1% cheaper
Nashville
97
Columbus
95

Detailed Breakdown

Category Nashville, TN Columbus, OH Difference
Overall Cost Index99936.1% less
Housing1088620.4% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,380$1,10020.3% less
Median Home Price$395,000$260,00034.2% less
Groceries9596~Same
Transportation9998~Same
Healthcare9394~Same
Utilities97952.1% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Nashville, TN Columbus, OH
State Income TaxNone (0%)3.50% (top)
State Sales Tax7.00%5.75%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.56%1.41%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Nashville, TN
$72,000
Median household income
Columbus, OH
$64,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Columbus costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Columbus to maintain your Nashville lifestyle.

→
$—

Based on overall cost index: Nashville (99) vs Columbus (93). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Nashville3.3%
Columbus3.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
Nashville3.7%
Columbus2.8%
Top Industries
NashvilleHealthcare, Music, Tech
ColumbusInsurance, Education, Tech

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Nashville26 min
Columbus23 min
Walk Score
Nashville29
Columbus41
Air Quality (AQI)
Nashville40
Columbus40
Avg Temperature
Nashville59°F
Columbus52°F
Population
Nashville689,447
Columbus905,748

Moving from Nashville to Columbus?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers. Compare prices and save up to 40% on your move.

Get My Free Moving Estimate →
✓ 500+ vetted movers ✓ Free quotes in 24hrs ✓ No obligation

Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Nashville and Columbus → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Columbus →

Compare Other Cities

Nashville vs Austin → Nashville vs Denver → Nashville vs Raleigh → Columbus vs Portland → Columbus vs Phoenix → Columbus vs Chicago →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nashville or Columbus cheaper to live in?+
Columbus is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 20.4%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Nashville vs Columbus?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,380/month in Nashville and $1,100/month in Columbus — a difference of about $280 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Nashville or Columbus?+
Tennessee has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 7.00%. Ohio has a state income tax of 3.50% (top) and sales tax of 5.75%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Nashville to Columbus?+
Median household income in Nashville is $72,000 compared to $64,000 in Columbus. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Nashville vs Columbus?+
The median home price in Nashville is $395,000 versus $260,000 in Columbus — a difference of $135,000. Property tax rates also differ: Tennessee averages 0.56% while Ohio averages 1.41%.