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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Sacramento

California
132

Nashville is 17% cheaper than Sacramento.

$1,486/mo ↓ 12%
Median Rent
$1,694/mo ↑ 14%
$75,197/yr ↓ 10%
Median Income
$83,753/yr ↑ 11%
$383,100 ↓ 21%
Home Value
$484,600 ↑ 26%
$1,471/mo ↓ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,752/mo ↑ 19%
684,298
Population
524,802

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
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Sacramento, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $208/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $2,496/year.

Median household income is $8,556/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $484,600 in Sacramento.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Sacramento — common questions

Is Nashville or Sacramento cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Sacramento?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Sacramento it's $1,694/month — a difference of $208/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Sacramento?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $83,753 in Sacramento. Median household income is $8,556/year higher in Sacramento.
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 Sacramento?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,694/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Sacramento details →

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