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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Riverside

California
144

Nashville is 24% cheaper than Riverside.

$1,486/mo ↓ 18%
Median Rent
$1,812/mo ↑ 22%
$75,197/yr ↓ 15%
Median Income
$88,575/yr ↑ 18%
$383,100 ↓ 29%
Home Value
$542,100 ↑ 42%
$1,471/mo ↓ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,880/mo ↑ 28%
684,298
Population
316,241

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
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Riverside, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 144 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $326/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $3,912/year.

Median household income is $13,378/year higher in Riverside. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $542,100 in Riverside.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Riverside — common questions

Is Nashville or Riverside cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Riverside?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Riverside it's $1,812/month — a difference of $326/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Riverside?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $88,575 in Riverside. Median household income is $13,378/year higher in Riverside.
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 Riverside?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Riverside has a cost index of 144 with rent of $1,812/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Riverside details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Nashville and Riverside

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