Cost of Living: Los Angeles vs Nashville (2026)

Los Angeles vs Nashville cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Nashville is about 15% less expensive than Los Angeles overall — $100,000 in Los Angeles is worth about $84,830 in Nashville.

Nashville is about 15% less expensive than Los Angeles overall — $100,000 in Los Angeles is worth about $84,830 in Nashville.

Los Angeles vs Nashville: the numbers

MetricLos AngelesNashvilleDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)11496-15%
Median rent$1,879$1,486-21%
Median home value$879,500$383,100-56%
Median household income$80,366$75,197-6%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Los Angeles has the same buying power as about $84,830 in Nashville. Going the other way, $100,000 in Nashville is like $117,883 in Los Angeles.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Los Angeles and Nashville.

Compare any salary: Los Angeles vs Nashville

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Los Angeles is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 114 vs 96 — a 15% difference. Your money goes further in Nashville.

About $84,830 — that's what you'd need in Nashville to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Los Angeles.