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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Santa Maria

California
137

Nashville is 20% cheaper than Santa Maria.

$1,486/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$1,842/mo ↑ 24%
$75,197/yr ↓ 11%
Median Income
$84,617/yr ↑ 13%
$383,100 ↓ 20%
Home Value
$478,200 ↑ 25%
$1,471/mo ↓ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,789/mo ↑ 22%
684,298
Population
109,880

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Santa Maria, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $356/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $4,272/year.

Median household income is $9,420/year higher in Santa Maria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $478,200 in Santa Maria.

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 Maria — common questions

Is Nashville or Santa Maria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 137 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Santa Maria?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Santa Maria it's $1,842/month — a difference of $356/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Santa Maria?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $84,617 in Santa Maria. Median household income is $9,420/year higher in Santa Maria.
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 Maria?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Santa Maria has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,842/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Santa Maria details →

More Comparisons

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