CostIndexUSA

Boulder, CO vs Nashville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Nashville
96.3
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Nashville is moderately cheaper than Boulder — 8.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $73,200 in Nashville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing33.4%
Boulder
157
Nashville
104.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Boulder
96.1
Nashville
96.2
🚗 Transportation4.7%
Boulder
104.8
Nashville
99.9
🏥 Healthcare4.6%
Boulder
94.8
Nashville
90.4
Utilities12.9%
Boulder
82.7
Nashville
72

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Nashville, TN
$73,200
$6,800 less needed in Nashville

Formula: salary × (96.3 ÷ 105.2) = salary × 0.9154. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Nashville, TN

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

Boulder has 33.4% lower housing costs compared to Nashville.

Income & Job Market

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

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).

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.