Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Bakersfield, CA (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Bakersfield

California
104

Nashville is 6% more expensive than Bakersfield.

$1,486/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$1,371/mo ↓ 8%
$75,197/yr ↓ 3%
Median Income
$77,397/yr ↑ 3%
$383,100 ↑ 10%
Home Value
$347,300 ↓ 9%
$1,471/mo ↓ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,540/mo ↑ 5%
684,298
Population
408,366

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Bakersfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $115/month cheaper in Bakersfield, saving renters about $1,380/year.

Median household income is $2,200/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $347,300 in Bakersfield.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Bakersfield — common questions

Is Nashville or Bakersfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Bakersfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Bakersfield?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Bakersfield it's $1,371/month — a difference of $115/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Bakersfield?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $77,397 in Bakersfield. Median household income is $2,200/year higher in Bakersfield.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and California?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Bakersfield?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with rent of $1,371/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Bakersfield details →

More Comparisons

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