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City comparison

Denver, CO vs Nashville, TN

The income gap between Denver and Nashville is significant: $94,718 median household versus $77,371. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,831 in Denver and $1,586 in Nashville.

This is a genuine split. Denver wins on the job market and safety and Nashville wins on cost of living. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.

Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.

Full Denver reportFull Nashville report

Denver, CO

Rent
$1,831/mo
HUD 2-bedroom FMR
$2,169/mo
Median income
94,718
Crime index
268
Weather
68°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

Nashville, TN

Rent
$1,586/mo
Median income
77,371
Crime index
277
Weather
70°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

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Rent

13% cheaper

Nashville rent is 13% cheaper than Denver

Denver

$1,831/mo

Nashville

Winner

$1,586/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,586 a month in Nashville versus $1,831 in Denver, so Nashville is 13% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,940, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Nashville still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Denver.

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Median income

22% higher

Denver's median income is 22% higher than Nashville

Denver

Winner

$94,718

Nashville

$77,371

What this means for your life

Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $77,371 in Nashville, so typical pay runs 22% higher in Denver (about $17,347 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Denver is the stronger labor market on paper. Nashville can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.

Crime index

3% lower crime

Denver's crime index is 3% lower than Nashville

Denver

Winner

268 (100 = avg)

Nashville

277 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Denver's crime index is 268 versus 277 in Nashville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 3% lower in Denver. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Denver, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Nashville. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.

Typical weather

Neck and neck

Denver and Nashville are about even on typical weather.

Denver

68°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100

Nashville

70°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100

What this means for your life

Denver averages about 68°F (77°F highs); Nashville averages about 70°F (79°F highs). Denver sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Nashville sits near 70°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.

Fit check

Who should choose Denver

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Denver is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 22% higher here ($94,718). Start with Denver if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

Denver is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 3% lower than Nashville (268 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.

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Fit check

Who should choose Nashville

People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Nashville

Nashville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 13% cheaper here at about $1,586 a month. Choose Nashville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

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Bottom line

Denver vs Nashville: Our Take

Nashville is cheaper on rent ($1,586/month vs $1,831), but Denver's $94,718 median income beats Nashville's $77,371 by 18%. Remote workers paid on Denver scales can make that trade; local-market earners often cannot.

Denver still pays more locally ($94,718 median income vs $77,371), which can offset the lease if your field pays Denver rates.

Safety scores read 30/100 in Denver and 29/100 in Nashville.

Most movers who prioritize local pay land in Denver; Nashville only makes sense when $1,586/month housing savings outweigh $94,718 median pay in your field.

Common questions

Denver vs Nashville FAQ

Is Denver cheaper than Nashville?
No. Nashville is cheaper: typical rent is $1,586 a month versus $1,831 in Denver (13% lower). Median household income is $94,718 in Denver compared with $77,371 in Nashville, so Denver has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Denver or Nashville?
Denver is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 268 versus 277 in Nashville (3% lower; 100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Denver or Nashville?
School quality varies by neighborhood in Denver. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP. The same applies in Nashville. We do not publish a citywide school grade comparison because we do not yet have a verified public school-quality feed.

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