New York, NY vs Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN

Cost of Living Comparison — 2026

Renters in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN spend a smaller share of their income on housing. Median household income is 6% higher in New York, NY. Home prices in New York, NY run 49% higher. Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN has the lower unemployment rate.

$79,713
Income in New York
$75,197
Income in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance)
$1,779
Rent in New York
$1,486
Rent in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance)

Detailed Comparison

Metric
New York, NY
Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN
Difference
Median Household Income
$79,713
$75,197
6% lower
Median Home Value
$751,700
$383,100
49% less
Median Monthly Rent
$1,779
$1,486
16% less
Median Monthly Housing Costs
$1,837
$1,471
20% less
Unemployment Rate
7.7%
4.6%
40% less
Population
8,516,202
684,298

Housing Costs and Affordability

A common benchmark is spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing. In New York, NY, renters allocate roughly 26.8% of median household income to rent (within that threshold). In Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN, the figure is 23.7% , making Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN the easier city for renters on a budget.

For prospective homebuyers, the price-to-income ratio tells you how many years of gross income it takes to match the median home price. In New York, NY, that ratio is 9.4x. Homes cost 9.4 times the median annual income. In Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN, it's 5.1x. Homeownership is relatively more accessible in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN.

Monthly housing costs (rent plus utilities) average $1,837 in New York and $1,471 in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance). These figures include renters paying utilities separately from rent.

Income and Labor Market

Median household income in New York, NY is $79,713; in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN it is $75,197. That's a $4,516 gap, but income alone doesn't tell the full story without accounting for local costs.

Unemployment stands at 7.7% in New York and 4.6% in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance). Labor force participation (the share of the population working or actively job-seeking) is 51.8% in New York versus 58.7% in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance).

Population

New York, NY has a population of 8,516,202, making it the larger of the two cities. Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN has 684,298 residents. City size affects everything from transit options and job market depth to cost pressures. Larger metros typically see higher housing demand.

Data Sources

All data is from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Income, housing, and employment figures represent the most recent available estimates. Data is refreshed as new Census releases become available.

Verify this data at data.census.gov