Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
20% cheaper
Nashville is 20% more affordable than Riverside. A $75,000 salary in Riverside is equivalent to $59,766 in Nashville.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Tennessee salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Nashville has a housing index of 108 while Riverside sits at 155 (national average = 100). The median home in Nashville costs $380,000 compared to $500,000 in Riverside, a difference of $120,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Nashville versus $1,800 in Riverside.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Nashville scores 96 while Riverside scores 103. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Nashville (98) are lower than Riverside (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Nashville is $59,828 compared to $67,068 in Riverside. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Nashville.
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