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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Lancaster

California
124

Nashville is 11% cheaper than Lancaster.

$1,486/mo ↓ 12%
Median Rent
$1,696/mo ↑ 14%
$75,197/yr ↓ 1%
Median Income
$76,083/yr ↑ 1%
$383,100 ↓ 6%
Home Value
$409,100 ↑ 7%
$1,471/mo ↓ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,746/mo ↑ 19%
684,298
Population
170,013

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
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Lancaster, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 124 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $210/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $2,520/year.

Median household income is $886/year higher in Lancaster. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $409,100 in Lancaster.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Lancaster — common questions

Is Nashville or Lancaster cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 124 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Lancaster?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Lancaster it's $1,696/month — a difference of $210/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Lancaster?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $76,083 in Lancaster. Median household income is $886/year higher in Lancaster.
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 Lancaster?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Lancaster has a cost index of 124 with rent of $1,696/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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