Cost of Living: Nashville vs Philadelphia (2026)

Nashville vs Philadelphia cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Philadelphia is about 6% more expensive than Nashville overall — $100,000 in Nashville is worth about $106,452 in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is about 6% more expensive than Nashville overall — $100,000 in Nashville is worth about $106,452 in Philadelphia.

Nashville vs Philadelphia: the numbers

MetricNashvillePhiladelphiaDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)96103+6%
Median rent$1,486$1,323-11%
Median home value$383,100$232,400-39%
Median household income$75,197$60,698-19%

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 Nashville has the same buying power as about $106,452 in Philadelphia. Going the other way, $100,000 in Philadelphia is like $93,939 in Nashville.

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

Compare any salary: Nashville vs Philadelphia

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Philadelphia is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 103 vs 96 — a 6% difference. Your money goes further in Nashville.

About $106,452 — that's what you'd need in Philadelphia to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Nashville.