Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
20% cheaper
Nashville is 20% more affordable than Sacramento. A $75,000 salary in Sacramento 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 Sacramento sits at 163 (national average = 100). The median home in Nashville costs $380,000 compared to $450,000 in Sacramento, a difference of $70,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Nashville versus $1,700 in Sacramento.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Nashville scores 96 while Sacramento scores 104. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Nashville (98) are lower than Sacramento (106). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Nashville is $59,828 compared to $64,660 in Sacramento. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Nashville.
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