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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Costa Mesa

California
228

Nashville is 52% cheaper than Costa Mesa.

$1,486/mo ↓ 38%
Median Rent
$2,395/mo ↑ 61%
$75,197/yr ↓ 32%
Median Income
$110,073/yr ↑ 46%
$383,100 ↓ 64%
Home Value
$1,054,700 ↑ 175%
$1,471/mo ↓ 40%
Owner Costs
$2,462/mo ↑ 67%
684,298
Population
110,538

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Costa Mesa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 228 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $909/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $10,908/year.

Median household income is $34,876/year higher in Costa Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $1,054,700 in Costa Mesa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Costa Mesa — common questions

Is Nashville or Costa Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 228 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Costa Mesa?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Costa Mesa it's $2,395/month — a difference of $909/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Costa Mesa?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Median household income is $34,876/year higher in Costa Mesa.
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 Costa Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Costa Mesa has a cost index of 228 with rent of $2,395/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Costa Mesa details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Nashville and Costa Mesa

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