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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Nashville is 34% cheaper than Fairfield.

$1,486/mo ↓ 32%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 47%
$75,197/yr ↓ 27%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 36%
$383,100 ↓ 35%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 55%
$1,471/mo ↓ 34%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 51%
684,298
Population
119,985

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $705/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $8,460/year.

Median household income is $27,124/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Nashville or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Fairfield?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $705/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Fairfield?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $27,124/year higher in Fairfield.
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 Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Fairfield details →

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