Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
5% cheaper
New Orleans is 5% more affordable than Nashville. A $75,000 salary in Nashville is equivalent to $71,324 in New Orleans.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Tennessee salaries · Louisiana salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Nashville has a housing index of 108 while New Orleans sits at 95 (national average = 100). The median home in Nashville costs $380,000 compared to $245,000 in New Orleans, a difference of $135,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Nashville versus $1,200 in New Orleans.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Nashville scores 96 while New Orleans scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Nashville (98) are higher than New Orleans (94). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Nashville is $59,828 compared to $43,258 in New Orleans. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in New Orleans.
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