Cost of Living: Indianapolis vs Nashville (2026)

Indianapolis vs Nashville cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Nashville is about 1% more expensive than Indianapolis overall — $100,000 in Indianapolis is worth about $100,671 in Nashville.

Nashville is about 1% more expensive than Indianapolis overall — $100,000 in Indianapolis is worth about $100,671 in Nashville.

Indianapolis vs Nashville: the numbers

MetricIndianapolisNashvilleDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)9696+1%
Median rent$1,112$1,486+34%
Median home value$207,000$383,100+85%
Median household income$62,995$75,197+19%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Indianapolis has the same buying power as about $100,671 in Nashville. Going the other way, $100,000 in Nashville is like $99,334 in Indianapolis.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Indianapolis and Nashville.

Compare any salary: Indianapolis vs Nashville

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 96 vs 96 — a 1% difference. Your money goes further in Indianapolis.

About $100,671 — that's what you'd need in Nashville to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Indianapolis.