Performance
Score Breakdown
Vestavia Hills
Nashville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nashville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
44% higher compared to Vestavia Hills.
Housing costs are a major driver: Vestavia Hills's average rent is
31% higher than Nashville's.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | Nashville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,684 | +31% |
| Groceries | $630 | $400 | +58% |
| Utilities | $290 | $260 | +12% |
| Transport | $230 | $180 | +28% |
| Healthcare | $480 | $140 | +243% |
| Monthly Total | $3,830 | $2,664 | +44% |
| Cost Index | 110 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Vestavia Hills offers 12% 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 Vestavia Hills is estimated at
$86,000 vs $67,356 in Nashville.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $105,000 | $93,454 |
| Salary Needed | $86,000 | $67,356 |
| Purchasing Power | 95,455 idx | 97,348 idx |
| Household Income | $112,000 | $77,371 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Vestavia Hills runs warmer on average — a 63.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Vestavia Hills comes out ahead with 214 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Vestavia Hills sees 1.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 55.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 214 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 69.00% |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nashville is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Vestavia Hills.
From a growth perspective, Vestavia Hills is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Vestavia Hills has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,200 | 712,581 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.54% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 34.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.10% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $5.9B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Vestavia Hills
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Vestavia Hills
#1Alabama, USA
92.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$105,000
Cost Index
110
Sunny Days
214/yr
Avg Temp
63.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
94
Business
89
Nashville
#24Tennessee, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,684
Avg Salary
$93,454
Cost Index
96
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
70
Business
75
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