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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Fontana

California
146

Nashville is 25% cheaper than Fontana.

$1,486/mo ↓ 14%
Median Rent
$1,733/mo ↑ 17%
$75,197/yr ↓ 23%
Median Income
$98,187/yr ↑ 31%
$383,100 ↓ 31%
Home Value
$558,500 ↑ 46%
$1,471/mo ↓ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,990/mo ↑ 35%
684,298
Population
211,921

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
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Fontana, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 146 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $247/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $2,964/year.

Median household income is $22,990/year higher in Fontana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $558,500 in Fontana.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Fontana — common questions

Is Nashville or Fontana cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 146 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Fontana?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Fontana it's $1,733/month — a difference of $247/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Fontana?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $98,187 in Fontana. Median household income is $22,990/year higher in Fontana.
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 Fontana?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Fontana has a cost index of 146 with rent of $1,733/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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