Quick answer
Nashville is 68% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. A $100K salary in Los Angeles is equivalent to $32,000 in Nashville.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Los Angeles vs Nashville Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Nashville is 68% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-37% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$32,000
Los Angeles vs Nashville: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,400/mo
$1,520/mo
-37%
2BR median rent
$3,200/mo
$1,950/mo
-39%
Median home price
$850K
$445K
-48%
Avg monthly groceries
$440
$355
-19%
Avg monthly utilities
$140
$160
+14%
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
None
Nashville saves
Walk score
68/100
28/100
Los Angeles better
Transit score
53/100
22/100
Los Angeles better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Nashville to maintain the same standard of living as your current Los Angeles salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$19,000
$188,000
$80,000
$26,000
$250,000
$100,000
$32,000
$313,000
$120,000
$38,000
$376,000
$150,000
$48,000
$469,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Los Angeles vs Nashville
Who Each City Is Best For
Los Angeles is best for
- ✓entertainment industry workers
- ✓creatives
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓entrepreneurs
Nashville is best for
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓music industry professionals
- ✓entrepreneurs
- ✓young professionals
FAQs
Is Los Angeles or Nashville cheaper to live in?
Nashville is 68% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. Nashville 1BR rent ($1,520/mo) vs Los Angeles ($2,400/mo). Median home price: Nashville $445K vs Los Angeles $850K.
How much salary do I need in Nashville to match $100K in Los Angeles?
$32,000 in Nashville is equivalent to $100,000 in Los Angeles based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-37% difference) and state taxes (Los Angeles: Up to 13.3% vs Nashville: None).
What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and Nashville?
1BR: Los Angeles $2,400/mo vs Nashville $1,520/mo (-37%). 2BR: Los Angeles $3,200/mo vs Nashville $1,950/mo (-39%).
Does Los Angeles or Nashville have lower taxes?
Los Angeles (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. Nashville (TN) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$13,300.