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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Fresno

California
101

Nashville is 9% more expensive than Fresno.

$1,486/mo ↑ 12%
Median Rent
$1,324/mo ↓ 11%
$75,197/yr ↑ 13%
Median Income
$66,804/yr ↓ 11%
$383,100 ↑ 10%
Home Value
$348,500 ↓ 9%
$1,471/mo ↑ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,391/mo ↓ 5%
684,298
Population
543,615

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
23.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Fresno, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 101 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $162/month cheaper in Fresno, saving renters about $1,944/year.

Median household income is $8,393/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $348,500 in Fresno.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Fresno — common questions

Is Nashville or Fresno cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fresno is cheaper to live in with an index of 101 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Fresno?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Fresno it's $1,324/month — a difference of $162/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Fresno?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $66,804 in Fresno. Median household income is $8,393/year higher in Nashville.
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 Fresno?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Fresno has a cost index of 101 with rent of $1,324/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Fresno details →

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