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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Sunnyvale

California
341

Nashville is 68% cheaper than Sunnyvale.

$1,486/mo ↓ 52%
Median Rent
$3,065/mo ↑ 106%
$75,197/yr ↓ 59%
Median Income
$181,862/yr ↑ 142%
$383,100 ↓ 79%
Home Value
$1,816,600 ↑ 374%
$1,471/mo ↓ 51%
Owner Costs
$3,016/mo ↑ 105%
684,298
Population
153,455

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
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Sunnyvale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 341 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,579/month cheaper in Nashville, saving renters about $18,948/year.

Median household income is $106,665/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $1,816,600 in Sunnyvale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Sunnyvale — common questions

Is Nashville or Sunnyvale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Nashville is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Sunnyvale?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Sunnyvale it's $3,065/month — a difference of $1,579/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Sunnyvale?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $181,862 in Sunnyvale. Median household income is $106,665/year higher in Sunnyvale.
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 Sunnyvale?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with rent of $3,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Sunnyvale details →

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