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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Santa Ana

California
163

Nashville is 33% cheaper than Santa Ana.

$1,486/mo ↓ 25%
Median Rent
$1,975/mo ↑ 33%
$75,197/yr ↓ 15%
Median Income
$88,354/yr ↑ 17%
$383,100 ↓ 42%
Home Value
$657,800 ↑ 72%
$1,471/mo ↓ 25%
Owner Costs
$1,965/mo ↑ 34%
684,298
Population
311,639

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
26.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Santa Ana, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 163 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $489/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $5,868/year.

Median household income is $13,157/year higher in Santa Ana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $657,800 in Santa Ana.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Santa Ana — common questions

Is Nashville or Santa Ana cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Santa Ana?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Santa Ana it's $1,975/month — a difference of $489/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Santa Ana?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $88,354 in Santa Ana. Median household income is $13,157/year higher in Santa Ana.
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 Santa Ana?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with rent of $1,975/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Nashville and Santa Ana

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