City Comparison · 2026
Boston vs Nashville
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Boston = $68k in Nashville
Metric
Boston
Nashville
COL Index
1.93
✓1.31
1BR Monthly Rent
$2,900/mo
✓$1,900/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$3,700/mo
✓$2,400/mo
State Income Tax
MA
TN
$100k Take-Home
$73,736
✓$78,736
$100k Effective Rate
26.26%
✓21.26%
$100k Savings Potential
$38,936
✓$55,936
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Boston MA | Nashville TN |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,248 $3,937/mo · 21.25% eff. | $50,248 $4,187/mo · 16.25% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,736 $6,145/mo · 26.26% eff. | $78,736 $6,561/mo · 21.26% eff. |
| $150,000 | $105,778 $8,815/mo · 29.48% eff. | $113,278 $9,440/mo · 24.48% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Nashville cheaper to live in?
Boston has a cost-of-living index of 1.93 while Nashville is 1.31 (1.00 = US average). Nashville is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Boston is $2,900/month vs $1,900/month in Nashville.
How much more do you need to earn in Boston vs Nashville?
$100k in Boston = $68k in Nashville. Cost of living in Nashville is lower by 32.1%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Boston or Nashville?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,736 in MA (Boston) and $78,736 in TN (Nashville). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $38,936 in Boston vs $55,936 in Nashville.
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