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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Hayward

California
200

Nashville is 45% cheaper than Hayward.

$1,486/mo ↓ 37%
Median Rent
$2,360/mo ↑ 59%
$75,197/yr ↓ 34%
Median Income
$113,775/yr ↑ 51%
$383,100 ↓ 53%
Home Value
$820,700 ↑ 114%
$1,471/mo ↓ 39%
Owner Costs
$2,420/mo ↑ 65%
684,298
Population
159,201

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
24.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Hayward, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 200 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $874/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $10,488/year.

Median household income is $38,578/year higher in Hayward. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $820,700 in Hayward.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Hayward — common questions

Is Nashville or Hayward cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 200 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Hayward?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Hayward it's $2,360/month — a difference of $874/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Hayward?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $113,775 in Hayward. Median household income is $38,578/year higher in Hayward.
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 Hayward?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Hayward has a cost index of 200 with rent of $2,360/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Hayward details →

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