CostIndexUSA

Bakersfield, CA vs Nashville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Bakersfield
100.9
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Nashville
96.3
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Nashville is slightly cheaper than Bakersfield — 4.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bakersfield, you would need $76,400 in Nashville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+15.8%
Bakersfield
90.3
Nashville
104.6
🛒 Groceries8.6%
Bakersfield
105.2
Nashville
96.2
🚗 Transportation5.1%
Bakersfield
105.3
Nashville
99.9
🏥 Healthcare5.1%
Bakersfield
95.3
Nashville
90.4
Utilities54.5%
Bakersfield
158.3
Nashville
72

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Nashville, TN
$76,400
$3,600 less needed in Nashville

Formula: salary × (96.3 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.9544. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bakersfield, CA

Median Home Price
$358,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
90.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.0×

Nashville, TN

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

Nashville has 15.8% higher housing costs compared to Bakersfield.

Income & Job Market

Bakersfield, CA

Median Household Income
$68,900
Per Capita Income
$39,300
Unemployment Rate
8.4%
Population
384,145
Top Industries
AgricultureEnergyHealthcareLogisticsManufacturing

Nashville, TN

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

Affordability at a Glance

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

Bakersfield, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Nashville, TN
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.