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Nashville vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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Detroit is 19% cheaper than Nashville overall.Nashville has a cost of living index of 108 vs Detroit at 88 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Nashville costs 39% more.

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Nashville
TN
108
COLI index
VS
Detroit
MI
88
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryNashvilleDetroitDifference
Overall COLI10888-19%
Housing14085-39%
Groceries105101-4%
Transport108101-6%
Healthcare103102-1%
Utilities104112+8%

Median 1BR Rent

Nashville
$1,750/mo
Detroit
$1,100/mo

Median Home Price

Nashville
$415,000
Detroit
$90,000

Median Household Income

Nashville
$65,734
Detroit
$34,762

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Frequently Asked Questions

Detroit is cheaper to live in overall. Nashville has a cost of living index of 108 while Detroit has an index of 88, where 100 represents the US national average. Detroit is 19% cheaper than Nashville overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Nashville is $1,750 per month compared to $1,100 in Detroit. The median home price in Nashville is $415,000 versus $90,000 in Detroit. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Nashville has a cost of living index of 108 and Detroit has an index of 88, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Nashville, multiply by 0.81. For example a $75,000 salary in Nashville is equivalent to approximately $61,111 in Detroit.

Nashville has a median household income of $65,734 per year versus $34,762 in Detroit. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Nashville to Detroit is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Detroit is 19% cheaper overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.