The numbers, side by side
| Metric | Los Angeles | Nashville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index | 166 | 110 | -56 |
| 1-bed rent (avg) | $2,500 | $1,550 | -$950 |
| 2-bed rent (avg) | $3,200 | $2,000 | -$1,200 |
| Median household income | $65,290 | $59,234 | -$6,056 |
| Population | 3,979,576 | 715,884 | -3,263,692 |
What salary you'd need in Nashville
To maintain your Los Angeles purchasing power, here's what you'd need to earn in Nashville.
Los Angeles vs Nashville: which makes more sense for you?
On paper, Los Angeles's cost-of-living index of 166 runs roughly 33.7% higher than Nashville's 110. But that headline number papers over real differences in how that cost is distributed — rent might be far more expensive while groceries and transit costs run closer to even.
The rent gap
A 1-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles averages $2,500/month, vs $1,550/month in Nashville — a -$950 difference. For 2-bedrooms, the gap widens to -$1,200/month. Over a year, the rent difference alone is $11,400 on a 1-bed.
Income context
Median household income in Los Angeles is $65,290, while Nashville runs $59,234 (-$6,056 difference). That matters for how the cost-of-living gap actually feels day-to-day — if local salaries are also higher, the cost difference washes out partly. If local salaries lag the cost-of-living gap, your paycheck buys noticeably less.
State tax differences
Los Angeles is in California and Nashville is in Tennessee, so you'll also pick up a state-tax difference. Tax-free states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Washington, and Nevada deliver real take-home upside even when nominal salaries are similar.