Los Angeles CA vs Nashville TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Nashville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Nashville
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Nashville
N/A
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Nashville
N/A
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Nashville
N/A
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Nashville
N/A
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Nashville
N/A
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Nashville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 37.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 8.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Nashville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Nashville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Nashville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,097 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Nashville
$436,355
Nashville +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $436,355 | Nashville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Los Angeles +
Nashville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Nashville
2350
Nashville +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 639 | Los Angeles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2350 | Nashville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Nashville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Nashville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Nashville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Nashville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Nashville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Nashville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Nashville
47.9 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 47.9 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Nashville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $436,355. On public safety, Los Angeles is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Nashville. Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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