Cost of Living: Nashville vs San Diego (2026)

Nashville vs San Diego cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Diego is about 16% more expensive than Nashville overall — $100,000 in Nashville is worth about $116,140 in San Diego.

San Diego is about 16% more expensive than Nashville overall — $100,000 in Nashville is worth about $116,140 in San Diego.

Nashville vs San Diego: the numbers

MetricNashvilleSan DiegoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)96112+16%
Median rent$1,486$2,223+50%
Median home value$383,100$848,500+121%
Median household income$75,197$104,321+39%

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 Nashville has the same buying power as about $116,140 in San Diego. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Diego is like $86,103 in Nashville.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Nashville and San Diego.

Compare any salary: Nashville vs San Diego

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 112 vs 96 — a 16% difference. Your money goes further in Nashville.

About $116,140 — that's what you'd need in San Diego to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Nashville.