Nashville vs Pittsburgh: cost of living compared
Pittsburgh is 19% cheaper than Nashville overall. Nashville (TN) has no state income tax; PA tops out around 3.07%.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Comparing overall cost of living, Pittsburgh is noticeably more affordable than Nashville. The most significant factor driving this difference is housing, which is substantially more expensive in Nashville. While other categories like food and utilities show smaller variations, the substantial gap in housing costs makes Pittsburgh a much more budget-friendly option for overall expenses compared to Nashville, which sits above the national average.
Housing
Housing costs present a stark contrast between the two metros. Both buying a home and renting a one-bedroom apartment are considerably more expensive in Nashville than in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh offers a more established housing stock, often featuring brick homes in older neighborhoods. Property taxes in Pennsylvania are generally higher than in Tennessee, which can impact the total cost of homeownership beyond the mortgage payment.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses also differ, with Pittsburgh generally offering more savings. Pennsylvania has a state income tax, which Tennessee does not, impacting take-home pay. Transportation costs are somewhat lower in Pittsburgh, while Nashville's are slightly above the national average, despite similar commute times. Food costs are a bit lower in Pittsburgh. Healthcare costs are roughly similar in both metros, while utilities are slightly higher in Pittsburgh and slightly lower in Nashville.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Beyond costs, lifestyle offers different experiences. Nashville has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, while Pittsburgh experiences four distinct seasons, including colder winters with snow. Getting around in Pittsburgh often involves navigating hilly terrain and older street grids, with a more established public transit system. Nashville's growth has led to increased traffic, with a greater reliance on personal vehicles.
Bottom line
For households considering a move, the financial implications are clear. A move to Pittsburgh from Nashville would likely result in substantial savings, primarily driven by significantly lower housing costs. Conversely, moving to Nashville would mean a considerably higher cost of living, with housing being the dominant factor. The absence of state income tax in Tennessee is a benefit, but it is often outweighed by Nashville's higher overall expenses.
| Measure | Nashville, TN | Pittsburgh, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 108 | 88 |
| Housing index | 119 | 64 |
| Transportation index | 104 | 98 |
| Food index | 98 | 95 |
| Healthcare index | 98 | 98 |
| Utilities index | 98 | 102 |
| Misc index | 95 | 88 |
| Median home price | $438,000 | $218,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,650/mo | $1,050/mo |
| Average commute | 29 min | 28 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Pittsburgh home with the True Cost Calculator.