Nashville TN vs Seattle WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
741,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
19.9%
White
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
17.2%
Hispanic
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 741,440 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 61.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
$121,984
Per Capita Income
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
$82,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashville
$59,097
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
67.5%
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $121,984 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $82,508 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 67.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashville
$436,355
Nashville +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $436,355 | $871,599 | Nashville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 44.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashville
639
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashville
2350
Nashville +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3409 | Nashville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
22.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
6.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
6.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
6.5%
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashville
47.9 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.9 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashville
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashville
N/A
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 28.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $436,355. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Nashville. Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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