Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Nashville, TN?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 91.3% more expensive than Nashville, TN. This translates to spending an extra $6845 per month.

What salary do I need in San Francisco, CA to live like I do in Nashville, TN?

If you earn $150,000 in Nashville, TN, you'd need approximately $232,135.922 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Nashville, TN and San Francisco, CA?

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 268.6% more expensive than in Nashville, TN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $1,840/month in Nashville, TN.

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

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $6845 more per month than Nashville, TN, or $82136 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

Nashville, TN

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San Francisco, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Nashville, TN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $6.8K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $232.1K in San Francisco, CA

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

Overall Cost

↑ 91.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$6,845

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$82.1K

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

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:191

Median Home:$1.25M

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

San Francisco, CA

The Golden State

874K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Global technology hub
•Historic cable cars
•Major startup ecosystem

Major Industries

TechnologyFinanceTourismBiotechnology

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Nashville, TN vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Nashville, TN	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,651/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $7,121more	268.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,284/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $874more	68.1%
🛒Groceries	$949/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $210more	22.1%
🏥Healthcare	$607/mo	$706/mo	↑ $99.13more	16.3%
⚡All Utilities	$519/mo	$448/mo	↓ $71.03less	13.7%
📦Other	$1,942/mo	$1,875/mo	↓ $66.96less	3.4%

🏠Housing

↑ 268.6%

Nashville, TN

$2,651

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$7,121

🚗Transportation

↑ 68.1%

Nashville, TN

$1,284

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$874

🛒Groceries

↑ 22.1%

Nashville, TN

$949

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$210

🏥Healthcare

↑ 16.3%

Nashville, TN

$607

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$99.13

⚡All Utilities

↓ 13.7%

Nashville, TN

$519

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$71.03

less

📦Other

↓ 3.4%

Nashville, TN

$1,942

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$66.96

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,600

To$2,460

↑ $860

1 Bed

From$1,680

To$2,950

↑ $1,270

2 Bed

From$1,840

To$3,570

↑ $1,730

3 Bed

From$2,350

To$4,560

↑ $2,210

Nashville, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,320–$2,230/mo

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/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

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$8,166

Difference

Home Values

Nashville

San Francisco

$489K

Median Value

$1.25M

↓ -2.1%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +32.1%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$320K - $1.16M

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 155% more expensive than Nashville

Calculate payment - Nashville Calculate payment - San Francisco

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

San Francisco, 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%

San Francisco, 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.