CostIndexUSA

Nashville, TN vs Sacramento, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Nashville
96.3
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
CA
Sacramento
106.7
overall index
$2,200/mo rent

Nashville is moderately cheaper than Sacramento — 10.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Nashville, you would need $88,600 in Sacramento. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+24.5%
Nashville
104.6
Sacramento
130.2
🛒 Groceries+9.4%
Nashville
96.2
Sacramento
105.2
🚗 Transportation+5.4%
Nashville
99.9
Sacramento
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+5.4%
Nashville
90.4
Sacramento
95.3
Utilities+110.1%
Nashville
72
Sacramento
151.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Nashville to see what you'd need to earn in Sacramento to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Sacramento, CA
$88,600
$8,600 more needed in Sacramento

Formula: salary × (106.7 ÷ 96.3) = salary × 1.1080. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Nashville, TN

Median Home Price
$444,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
104.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.8×

Sacramento, CA

Median Home Price
$566,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
130.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Sacramento has 24.5% higher housing costs compared to Nashville.

Income & Job Market

Nashville, TN

Median Household Income
$84,700
Per Capita Income
$48,300
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
Population
689,447
Top Industries
HealthcareMusicTourismManufacturingFinance

Sacramento, CA

Median Household Income
$95,000
Per Capita Income
$54,100
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
524,943
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareTechnologyEducationAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Nashville, TN
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Sacramento, CA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.