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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Ontario

California
152

Nashville is 28% cheaper than Ontario.

$1,486/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,916/mo ↑ 29%
$75,197/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$82,806/yr ↑ 10%
$383,100 ↓ 33%
Home Value
$568,000 ↑ 48%
$1,471/mo ↓ 25%
Owner Costs
$1,967/mo ↑ 34%
684,298
Population
178,347

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
27.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Ontario, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $430/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $5,160/year.

Median household income is $7,609/year higher in Ontario. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $568,000 in Ontario.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Ontario — common questions

Is Nashville or Ontario cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Ontario?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Ontario it's $1,916/month — a difference of $430/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Ontario?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $82,806 in Ontario. Median household income is $7,609/year higher in Ontario.
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 Ontario?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Ontario has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,916/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Ontario details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Nashville and Ontario

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