Leaving LA: compare

Austin vs Nashville

Two of the places Angelenos weigh most. Here's how they stack up on price, pace and taxes, measured against what a typical LA home sells for.

Quick answer: Nashville is about 15% cheaper at the median ($483K vs $570K), and Austin homes have been selling faster (47 median days on market). Redfin, May 2026.
Austin, TXNashville, TN
Median sale price$570K$483K
Median single-family$600K$530K
Median condo$365K$379K
Median $/sq ft$316$277
Median days on market4759
Avg sale-to-list97.7%98.1%
Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft)3,1603,610
Californians who moved to the state (2024)77,16119,670

Redfin Data Center, May 2026, all residential unless noted. Typical LA County zip for reference: $904K median, $588/sq ft. Mover counts: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024.

Taxes

Austin: None on wages (Texas has no personal income tax). Nashville: None on wages (Tennessee fully repealed its Hall tax on investment income in 2021). Property tax, insurance and HOA costs vary by address in both places and can matter as much as income tax, so price them for any specific home.

Not tax, legal or financial advice. This page is general information and illustrative examples written by a real estate agent, not a CPA, attorney or financial advisor. Tax laws change and every situation is different. Before making decisions, talk with a qualified tax professional and attorney about your specific circumstances. Market figures are estimates from public data and may be out of date.

Go deeper

Read the full guides: moving from LA to Austin and moving from LA to Nashville.

Common questions

Is Austin or Nashville cheaper?

Nashville had the lower median sale price, about $483K versus $570K in Austin (Redfin, May 2026), roughly 15% less at the median.

Which has lower state income tax, Austin or Nashville?

Austin: None on wages (Texas has no personal income tax). Nashville: None on wages (Tennessee fully repealed its Hall tax on investment income in 2021). Rates change, so confirm with each state and a CPA.

What does $1 million buy in Austin vs Nashville?

At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 3,160 square feet in Austin and 3,610 in Nashville, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.

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Last reviewed October 13, 2026.