Cost of Living: Nashville vs San Francisco (2026)

Nashville vs San Francisco cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Francisco is about 20% more expensive than Nashville overall — $100,000 in Nashville is worth about $120,008 in San Francisco.

San Francisco is about 20% more expensive than Nashville overall — $100,000 in Nashville is worth about $120,008 in San Francisco.

Nashville vs San Francisco: the numbers

MetricNashvilleSan FranciscoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)96116+20%
Median rent$1,486$2,419+63%
Median home value$383,100$1,380,500+260%
Median household income$75,197$141,446+88%

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 $120,008 in San Francisco. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Francisco is like $83,328 in Nashville.

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

Compare any salary: Nashville vs San Francisco

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 116 vs 96 — a 20% difference. Your money goes further in Nashville.

About $120,008 — that's what you'd need in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Nashville.