Performance
Score Breakdown
Nashville
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nashville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
31% lower compared to Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Nashville's average rent is
37% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Nashville | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,684 | $2,656 | -37% |
| Groceries | $400 | $550 | -27% |
| Utilities | $260 | $320 | -19% |
| Transport | $180 | $150 | +20% |
| Healthcare | $140 | $200 | -30% |
| Monthly Total | $2,664 | $3,876 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 152 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nashville offers 25% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nashville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Nashville is estimated at
$67,356 vs $100,000 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Nashville | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $93,454 | $75,000 |
| Salary Needed | $67,356 | $100,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 97,348 idx | 49,342 idx |
| Household Income | $77,371 | $90,757 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Nashville | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Los Angeles scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Los Angeles leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Nashville | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 68.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 75.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Nashville.
From a growth perspective, Nashville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Nashville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Nashville | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 712,581 | 3,869,089 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.54% | % |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $760.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nashville
Advantages
Nashville's metro area unemployment rate of 3.0% (March 2026) is well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The city's cost of living index of 95.9 (March 2026) makes it approximately 4.1% more affordable than the national average.
Nashville experienced a job growth rate of 1.1% through September 2025, ranking it among the top U.S. metros for employment growth.
Violent offenses in Nashville were down nearly 14% and property crime decreased by almost 12% in 2025 compared to 2024, with homicides at their lowest in a decade.
Tennessee has no state income tax, which can be a significant financial advantage for residents.
Drawbacks
Nashville experiences significant traffic congestion, ranking 27th worst globally and 11th in the U.S. in 2025, with drivers losing an average of 63 hours annually.
Summers in Nashville are hot and muggy, with high humidity levels, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Housing costs are rising, with median home prices at $475,000 (July 2025) and average rents increasing, making affordability a growing concern.
The city's public transportation system is not as readily accessible as in other major cities, contributing to high car dependency.
Despite recent improvements, Nashville's overall crime rate of 57.31 per 1,000 people (2024 data) places it in a moderate safety range, with some areas having elevated crime.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, trade, and entertainment.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, including world-class museums, theaters, and a diverse culinary landscape.
Residents enjoy a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine and mild winters, ideal for outdoor activities.
Los Angeles is a global hub for innovation and technology, attracting talent and fostering new businesses.
The metropolitan area provides access to numerous educational institutions, from community colleges to top-tier universities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly higher than the national average, primarily driven by expensive housing.
Los Angeles experiences considerable traffic congestion, leading to long commute times and high car dependency.
Housing affordability remains a major challenge, with median home prices exceeding $1.0 million as of April 2026.
The city has experienced population decline in recent years, with Los Angeles County losing over 53,000 residents between July 2024 and July 2025.
The unemployment rate in Los Angeles County, at 5.6% in December 2025, is higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Nashville
#31Tennessee, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,684
Avg Salary
$93,454
Cost Index
96
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
70
Business
75
Los Angeles
#8California, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,656
Avg Salary
$75,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
68.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
80
Business
75
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