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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

San Bernardino

California
109

Nashville and San Bernardino have a similar cost of living.

$1,486/mo ↑ 4%
Median Rent
$1,433/mo ↓ 4%
$75,197/yr ↑ 18%
Median Income
$63,988/yr ↓ 15%
$383,100 ≈ Same
Home Value
$384,900 ≈ Same
$1,471/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,478/mo ≈ Same
684,298
Population
221,774

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
26.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and San Bernardino, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 109 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $53/month cheaper in San Bernardino, saving renters about $636/year.

Median household income is $11,209/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $384,900 in San Bernardino.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs San Bernardino — common questions

Is Nashville or San Bernardino cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Bernardino is cheaper to live in with an index of 109 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and San Bernardino?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in San Bernardino it's $1,433/month — a difference of $53/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or San Bernardino?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $63,988 in San Bernardino. Median household income is $11,209/year higher in Nashville.
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 San Bernardino?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while San Bernardino has a cost index of 109 with rent of $1,433/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View San Bernardino details →

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