Performance
Score Breakdown
Nashville
Anchorage
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nashville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
28% lower compared to Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Nashville's average rent is
14% lower than Anchorage's.
| Metric | Nashville | Anchorage | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,684 | $1,950 | -14% |
| Groceries | $400 | $670 | -40% |
| Utilities | $260 | $310 | -16% |
| Transport | $180 | $240 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $140 | $520 | -73% |
| Monthly Total | $2,664 | $3,690 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 119 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nashville offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nashville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Nashville is estimated at
$67,356 vs $79,000 in Anchorage.
| Metric | Nashville | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $93,454 | $84,000 |
| Salary Needed | $67,356 | $79,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 97,348 idx | 70,588 idx |
| Household Income | $77,371 | $86,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Anchorage runs warmer on average — a 37.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Anchorage comes out ahead with 126 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Anchorage sees 79.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Nashville | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 37.50°F |
| Summer High | °F | 66.00°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 11.00°F |
| Rainfall | in | 16.50 in |
| Snowfall | in | 79.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 126 | |
| Humidity | 69.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Anchorage has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Nashville.
Nashville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anchorage leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Nashville | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 31.5/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 42.2/10 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nashville is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Anchorage.
From a growth perspective, Anchorage is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Nashville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Nashville | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 712,581 | 291,247 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.54% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 5.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $57.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nashville
Advantages
Nashville's metro area unemployment rate of 3.0% (March 2026) is well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The city's cost of living index of 95.9 (March 2026) makes it approximately 4.1% more affordable than the national average.
Nashville experienced a job growth rate of 1.1% through September 2025, ranking it among the top U.S. metros for employment growth.
Violent offenses in Nashville were down nearly 14% and property crime decreased by almost 12% in 2025 compared to 2024, with homicides at their lowest in a decade.
Tennessee has no state income tax, which can be a significant financial advantage for residents.
Drawbacks
Nashville experiences significant traffic congestion, ranking 27th worst globally and 11th in the U.S. in 2025, with drivers losing an average of 63 hours annually.
Summers in Nashville are hot and muggy, with high humidity levels, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Housing costs are rising, with median home prices at $475,000 (July 2025) and average rents increasing, making affordability a growing concern.
The city's public transportation system is not as readily accessible as in other major cities, contributing to high car dependency.
Despite recent improvements, Nashville's overall crime rate of 57.31 per 1,000 people (2024 data) places it in a moderate safety range, with some areas having elevated crime.
Anchorage
Advantages
Outdoor lifestyle opportunities
Drawbacks
Higher living costs
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Nashville
#31Tennessee, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,684
Avg Salary
$93,454
Cost Index
96
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
70
Business
75
Anchorage
#4Alaska, USA
84.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$84,000
Cost Index
119
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
31.5/10
Walkability
42.2/10
Sunny Days
126/yr
Avg Temp
37.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
87
Business
82
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Nashville and Anchorage.
Open Cost Calculator