Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Nashville, TN?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 68.3% more expensive than Nashville, TN. This translates to spending an extra $5119 per month.

What salary do I need in Los Angeles, CA to live like I do in Nashville, TN?

If you earn $150,000 in Nashville, TN, you'd need approximately $211,427.184 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Nashville, TN and Los Angeles, CA?

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 192.4% more expensive than in Nashville, TN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $1,840/month in Nashville, TN.

How much can I save per month by moving from Nashville, TN to Los Angeles, CA?

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $5119 more per month than Nashville, TN, or $61427 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Nashville, TN

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Los Angeles, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Nashville, TN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $5.1K/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $211.4K in Los Angeles, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN area

Overall Cost

↑ 68.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$5,119

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$61.4K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$489K

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:168

Median Home:$885K

Nashville, TN

The Volunteer State

689K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Music City USA
•Country music capital
•Healthcare industry hub

Major Industries

Music IndustryHealthcareTourismFinance

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Nashville, TN vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	Nashville, TN	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,651/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $5,099more	192.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,284/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $874more	68.1%
📦Other	$1,942/mo	$1,731/mo	↓ $211less	10.9%
🛒Groceries	$949/mo	$1,040/mo	↑ $90.93more	9.6%
🏥Healthcare	$607/mo	$554/mo	↓ $53.28less	8.8%
⚡All Utilities	$519/mo	$557/mo	↑ $38.25more	7.4%

🏠Housing

↑ 192.4%

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$5,099

🚗Transportation

↑ 68.1%

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$874

📦Other

↓ 10.9%

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$211

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 9.6%

Nashville, TN

$949

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$90.93

🏥Healthcare

↓ 8.8%

Nashville, TN

$607

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$53.28

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 7.4%

Nashville, TN

$519

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$38.25

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,600

To$1,910

↑ $310

1 Bed

From$1,680

To$2,135

↑ $455

2 Bed

From$1,840

To$2,660

↑ $820

3 Bed

From$2,350

To$3,370

↑ $1,020

Nashville, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,320–$2,230/mo

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$5,838

Difference

Home Values

Nashville

Los Angeles

$489K

Median Value

$885K

↓ -2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↑ +32.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$320K - $1.16M

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 81% more expensive than Nashville

Calculate payment - Nashville Calculate payment - Los Angeles

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $10.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$886

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Nashville, TN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Tennessee State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Los Angeles, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Nashville, TN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.5%

Property Tax:0.7%

Los Angeles, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.