Portland vs Nashville

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Nashville is roughly 15% more affordable than Portland (index 56 vs 66, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Nashville
More affordable overall
15% cheaper than Portland · Cost index: 56 vs 66

Life Power at $3,000/mo

The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.

Head-to-Head Stats

66Cost Index56
4,865Median Income /mo4,368
58Safety Index60
9.9Income Tax %0
150Internet (Mbps)90
220Coworking /mo200

Price Breakdown

PortlandCategoryNashville
$1,800/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
6% ← cheaper
$1,690/month
$4.96/liter
Meal for One
76% ← cheaper
$1.2/liter
$18/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
$18/meal
$100/month
Monthly Transit Pass
16% ← cheaper
$84/month
$255/month
Utilities (Monthly)
35% ← cheaper
$165/month
$180/visit
Doctor Visit
39% ← cheaper
$110/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Portland

Internet150 Mbps
Coworking$220/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitygrowing
Walkability73/100

Nashville

Internet90 Mbps
Coworking$200/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitysmall
Walkability29/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Portland cheaper than Nashville?

Nashville is cheaper than Portland. Nashville has a cost of living index of 56/100 compared to 66/100 for Portland (New York = 100), making it roughly 15% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Nashville than Portland?

Nashville is approximately 15% cheaper than Portland based on cost index scores (56 vs 66, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Portland could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,546/month in Nashville.

What is the rent comparison between Portland and Nashville?

In Portland, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,800/month. In Nashville, the equivalent is around $1,690/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Portland or Nashville?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Portland offers 150 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$220/month. Nashville offers 90 Mbps and coworking at ~$200/month. Nashville has a cost advantage of 15%.

What is the average income in Portland vs Nashville?

The median net monthly salary in Portland is approximately $4,865 USD, compared to $4,368 USD in Nashville.

Compare Portland with…

Popular head-to-heads — see exactly where Portland wins or loses.

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Or explore:Denver

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