CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Nashville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Nashville
96.3
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Nashville is moderately cheaper than Baltimore — 7.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $73,700 in Nashville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing11.5%
Baltimore
118.2
Nashville
104.6
🛒 Groceries6.1%
Baltimore
102.4
Nashville
96.2
🚗 Transportation6.3%
Baltimore
106.6
Nashville
99.9
🏥 Healthcare6.2%
Baltimore
96.4
Nashville
90.4
Utilities34.7%
Baltimore
110.2
Nashville
72

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Baltimore to see what you'd need to earn in Nashville to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Nashville, TN
$73,700
$6,300 less needed in Nashville

Formula: salary × (96.3 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 0.9215. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Home Price
$391,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
118.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Nashville, TN

Median Home Price
$444,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
104.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.8×

Baltimore has 11.5% lower housing costs compared to Nashville.

Income & Job Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Household Income
$94,300
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
585,708
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentFinanceEducationManufacturing

Nashville, TN

Median Household Income
$84,700
Per Capita Income
$48,300
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
Population
689,447
Top Industries
HealthcareMusicTourismManufacturingFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Baltimore, MD
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Nashville, TN
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.