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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Santa Rosa

California
172

Nashville is 36% cheaper than Santa Rosa.

$1,486/mo ↓ 29%
Median Rent
$2,084/mo ↑ 40%
$75,197/yr ↓ 23%
Median Income
$97,410/yr ↑ 30%
$383,100 ↓ 44%
Home Value
$685,000 ↑ 79%
$1,471/mo ↓ 31%
Owner Costs
$2,130/mo ↑ 45%
684,298
Population
177,216

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Santa Rosa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 172 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $598/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $7,176/year.

Median household income is $22,213/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $685,000 in Santa Rosa.

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 Rosa — common questions

Is Nashville or Santa Rosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Santa Rosa?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Santa Rosa it's $2,084/month — a difference of $598/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Santa Rosa?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $97,410 in Santa Rosa. Median household income is $22,213/year higher in Santa Rosa.
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 Rosa?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with rent of $2,084/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Santa Rosa details →

More Comparisons

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