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Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Oklahoma City, OK

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

11.1% Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper overall
29.6% 29.6% cheaper housing
2.1% 2.1% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 29.6% cheaper
Nashville
108
Oklahoma City
76
🛒 Groceries 2.1% cheaper
Nashville
95
Oklahoma City
93
🚗 Transportation 3.0% cheaper
Nashville
99
Oklahoma City
96
🏥 Healthcare ~Same
Nashville
93
Oklahoma City
92
⚡ Utilities 3.1% more
Nashville
97
Oklahoma City
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category Nashville, TN Oklahoma City, OK Difference
Overall Cost Index998811.1% less
Housing1087629.6% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,380$95031.2% less
Median Home Price$395,000$210,00046.8% less
Groceries95932.1% less
Transportation99963.0% less
Healthcare9392~Same
Utilities971003.1% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Nashville, TN Oklahoma City, OK
State Income TaxNone (0%)4.75%
State Sales Tax7.00%4.50%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.56%0.85%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Nashville, TN
$72,000
Median household income
Oklahoma City, OK
$58,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City to maintain your Nashville lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Nashville (99) vs Oklahoma City (88). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Nashville3.3%
Oklahoma City3.5%
Job Growth (YoY)
Nashville3.7%
Oklahoma City2.4%
Top Industries
NashvilleHealthcare, Music, Tech
Oklahoma CityEnergy, Aerospace, Agriculture

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Nashville26 min
Oklahoma City22 min
Walk Score
Nashville29
Oklahoma City32
Air Quality (AQI)
Nashville40
Oklahoma City44
Avg Temperature
Nashville59°F
Oklahoma City60°F
Population
Nashville689,447
Oklahoma City681,054

Moving from Nashville to Oklahoma City?

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Planning Your Move?

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

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

Compare Other Cities

Nashville vs Austin → Nashville vs Denver → Nashville vs Raleigh → Oklahoma City vs Portland → Oklahoma City vs Phoenix → Oklahoma City vs Chicago →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nashville or Oklahoma City cheaper to live in?+
Oklahoma City is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 29.6%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Nashville vs Oklahoma City?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,380/month in Nashville and $950/month in Oklahoma City — a difference of about $430 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Nashville or Oklahoma City?+
Tennessee has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 7.00%. Oklahoma has a state income tax of 4.75% and sales tax of 4.50%. 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 Oklahoma City?+
Median household income in Nashville is $72,000 compared to $58,000 in Oklahoma City. 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 Oklahoma City?+
The median home price in Nashville is $395,000 versus $210,000 in Oklahoma City — a difference of $185,000. Property tax rates also differ: Tennessee averages 0.56% while Oklahoma averages 0.85%.