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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Palmdale

California
130

Nashville is 15% cheaper than Palmdale.

$1,486/mo ↓ 14%
Median Rent
$1,736/mo ↑ 17%
$75,197/yr ↓ 7%
Median Income
$81,151/yr ↑ 8%
$383,100 ↓ 12%
Home Value
$435,300 ↑ 14%
$1,471/mo ↓ 20%
Owner Costs
$1,831/mo ↑ 24%
684,298
Population
165,487

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Palmdale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 130 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $250/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $3,000/year.

Median household income is $5,954/year higher in Palmdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $435,300 in Palmdale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Palmdale — common questions

Is Nashville or Palmdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Palmdale?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Palmdale it's $1,736/month — a difference of $250/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Palmdale?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $81,151 in Palmdale. Median household income is $5,954/year higher in Palmdale.
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 Palmdale?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with rent of $1,736/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Palmdale details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Nashville and Palmdale

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