San Diego, California, and Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee, both present unique opportunities and attributes for residents and tourists alike. Varying significantly in attributes like weather, cost of living, and culture, each city offers different advantages depending on personal preferences and lifestyle. This analysis will dive deeply into specific areas of comparison including safety, education, economy, infrastructure, industries, real estate, transportation, taxes, food culture, sports teams, geographical conditions, and healthcare.
Distance between
San Diego, CA and
Nashville-Davidson, TN : 1,739.2 miles
San Diego's population is larger by 104%. Its population has grown by 158,211 people (12.9%) since 2000. The population of Nashville-Davidson has grown by 133,327 people (24.4%) during that time.
San Diego generally ranks as safer than Nashville-Davidson. San Diego has a lower crime rate, particularly in violent crimes, due to the strong law enforcement presence and well-organized neighborhood watch programs. However, property crime exists in both cities, aggravated by homelessness and drug issues. Nashville has been seen an increase in crime rates in recent years, including both violent crime and property crime. The areas with highest crime are generally concentrated in certain neighborhoods.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in San Diego is generally much higher than in Nashville. This is mostly due to housing costs, with San Diego having significantly higher home prices and rental rates. Groceries, utilities, and healthcare are also more expensive in San Diego. Meanwhile, Nashville offers a lower cost of living, which translates to more affordable housing, groceries, and other expenses.
Income Tax
California, including San Diego, has progressive income tax rates which can be as high as 13.3%. On the other hand, Tennessee, including Nashville, does not have a state income tax, which means less money taken out of your paycheck.
Property Tax
Homeowners in San Diego face property tax rates averaging around 0.76%, while those in Nashville face a higher rate at around 0.97%.
Sales Tax
San Diego's combined city and state sales tax rate is significantly higher at 7.75% compared to Nashville's combined rate of 9.25%. This can certainly add up in terms of cost of living.
Income
Type
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
Estimated median household income
$93,042
$64,857
Estimated per capita income
$48,380
$42,268
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
126.4
90.9
If you make $50,000 in Nashville-Davidson, you will have to make $69,527 in San Diego to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Diego has a coastal geography, boasting beautiful beaches, cliffs, and mountains in the backland. Nashville, located in the Southeastern U.S, has a landlocked geography with rolling hills and lush greenery.
Both cities host excellent higher education institutions. San Diego is home to the UC San Diego, one of the top public research universities in the country, while Nashville houses Vanderbilt University, a prestigious research institution. However, San Diego generally ranks higher for K-12 public education in terms of test scores and graduation rates. Nashville's public school system has lower rankings than national averages, but it's making strides in improvement.
San Diego's economy is heavily influenced by the military, tourism, and international trade, while Nashville is noted for its significant healthcare, music/entertainment, and university/education sectors. Overall, while both cities have vibrant economies, San Diego's broader economic base and higher wages may offer more opportunity for some, whereas Nashville's lower cost of living and booming healthcare and entertainment industries might be more appealing to others.
Biggest Employers
In San Diego, the largest employers include the U.S. Navy, UC San Diego, and Sharp Healthcare. In Nashville, the largest employers are Vanderbilt University, the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and the Nissan North America.
There were 539 building permits issued in San Diego in 2012 (88 more than in 2011) compared to 3,932 building permits issued in Nashville-Davidson in 2012 (2854 more than in 2011).
In San Diego (San Diego County), 52.6% voted for Democrats and 45.0% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Nashville-Davidson (Davidson County), 58.5% voted for Democrats and 39.9% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
2020
60.3%
65.0%
37.5%
32.6%
2.1%
2.3%
2016
56.3%
60.1%
36.6%
34.1%
7.1%
5.7%
2012
52.6%
58.5%
45.0%
39.9%
2.4%
1.6%
2008
54.2%
60.0%
44.0%
39.0%
1.8%
1.0%
2004
46.7%
54.9%
52.9%
44.6%
0.4%
0.4%
2000
45.8%
57.9%
49.8%
40.4%
4.5%
1.7%
1996
44.1%
79.3%
45.6%
18.1%
10.3%
2.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
CATHOLIC CHURCH
25.9%
4.9%
6.7%
2.3%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.1%
14.1%
12.0%
19.6%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
0.8%
1.1%
1.4%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
1.1%
2.0%
1.7%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
1.5%
2.0%
1.8%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.2%
2.0%
0.8%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
2.2%
0.9%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.1%
0.8%
1.2%
0.9%
COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
0.0%
1.0%
0.1%
0.5%
Weather
San Diego boasts a Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The average temperature ranges from 50°F to 77°F. In contrast, Nashville experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cold winters. It's subject to significant temperature swings, from icy winters down to 28°F, up to hot, humid summers of up to 89°F.
Weather and climate
Type
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
Temperature - Average
64.4°F
58.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74%
75.9%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
22%
38%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
80%
89%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
58%
51%
Precipitation - Yearly average
11 in
49 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
17.8 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
24.3%
17.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
74.8%
59.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
19%
23%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
75%
65%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
56%
42%
Wind speed - Average
6.9 mph
7.7 mph
Average climate in San Diego, California
Average climate in Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
2018
101
71
0.53
0.40
11.2
13.8
32.6
24.1
0.007
N/A
N/A
15.2
10.5
9.2
0.1
0.2
2017
115
70
0.63
0.38
12.7
14.4
32.7
26.8
0.007
N/A
N/A
15.3
10.8
8.7
0.1
0.1
2016
105
90
0.46
0.42
13.0
16.1
30.4
26.4
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.4
10.1
0.1
0.0
2015
111
68
0.43
0.43
13.2
15.5
29.9
23.6
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.9
10.8
0.1
0.1
2014
105
66
0.44
N/A
11.6
N/A
31.1
26.3
0.007
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.1
9.8
0.1
1.4
2013
138
62
0.50
N/A
12.4
N/A
27.4
N/A
0.019
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.3
9.7
0.2
N/A
2012
110
81
0.53
N/A
12.7
N/A
28.0
28.3
0.019
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.6
11.0
0.2
2.3
2011
122
81
0.51
N/A
13.5
N/A
29.0
25.9
0.034
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.0
11.0
1.5
1.7
2010
109
80
0.52
N/A
14.0
N/A
29.3
24.3
0.019
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.9
12.2
1.0
2.2
2009
121
72
0.64
N/A
15.6
N/A
26.9
22.5
0.014
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.1
11.5
2.7
2.4
2008
127
81
0.71
N/A
16.1
N/A
28.4
25.7
N/A
N/A
67.3
N/A
N/A
13.4
2.6
2.5
2007
157
99
0.71
N/A
16.4
N/A
28.0
27.4
0.012
N/A
64.6
N/A
N/A
15.5
2.8
2.7
2006
123
93
0.81
0.69
18.9
N/A
27.1
24.9
0.056
N/A
64.8
N/A
N/A
14.9
3.4
2.9
2005
112
104
0.90
0.56
19.2
N/A
24.4
23.5
0.049
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.9
3.7
3.1
2004
120
83
0.93
0.61
18.4
N/A
25.9
22.0
0.055
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.6
2.6
2003
124
93
0.88
0.67
19.4
N/A
25.4
18.5
0.049
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.8
3.8
3.8
2002
125
92
0.86
0.67
20.9
N/A
25.9
20.2
0.039
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.3
3.6
4.3
2001
132
95
0.93
0.89
20.4
N/A
26.5
19.5
0.048
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.6
3.4
4.5
2000
134
97
1.02
0.74
22.3
N/A
23.8
19.8
0.054
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.6
4.1
Natural disasters
Type
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
6.7%
169.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
5,835%
296.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
39%
17%
Transportation
San Diego offers a plethora of travel options including an extensive bus and trolley system, and is home to the San Diego International Airport. Commute times tend to be longer in San Diego. Nashville offers bus transit, and notably, a bike share program. Commute times in Nashville are shorter though traffic can still be an issue especially during peak times.
Transport
Type
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
2
1
FAA registered aircraft
852
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
33
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
Bicycle
0.6%
0.3%
Bus
2%
1.2%
Carpooled
9.4%
9.8%
Car alone
81.7%
85.5%
Ferryboat
0.1%
0%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.1%
Railroad
0.5%
0%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
3.6%
1.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
Average
27.4 min
31.3 min
Other means
22.7 min
23.4 min
Public transportation
45.7 min
38.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
89.5%
88.7%
In 2 person carpool
7.6%
8.5%
In 3 person carpool
1.8%
1.6%
In 4 person carpool
0.4%
0.7%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.5%
0.5%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in San Diego is notably more expensive than in Nashville. San Diego has high property values due to its coastal location, desirable weather, and high demand. Nashville, although experiencing a recent boom in property prices, remains more affordable, providing more square footage for the dollar.
Neighborhoods
Both cities have a variety of communities to suit different lifestyles. San Diego has beachfront communities like La Jolla, artsy urban neighborhoods like North Park, and family-friendly suburbs like Scripps Ranch. Nashville offers an eclectic mix of neighborhoods, from the trendy East Nashville to the upscale Green Hills area and family-friendly Bellevue.
Houses and residents
Type
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
Houses
555,456
331,262
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.3
Median year apartment built
1980
1986
Median year house/condo built
1977
1984
Length of stay in the house since moving in
14.1 years
12.2 years
Houses occupied
521,000 (93.8%)
305,247 (92.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
251,507 (48.3%)
162,426 (53.2%)
Houses occupied by renters
269,493 (51.7%)
142,821 (46.8%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$2,096
$1,391
Median monthly housing costs
$2,044
$1,291
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$957,871
$221,129
Estimated median house or condo value
$768,800
$346,700
Median numbers of rooms
4.6
5.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.9
6.3
Median house price - detached houses
Over $1,000,000
$437,686
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$320,904
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$529,375
$319,119
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$543,091
$305,249
Median house price - mobile homes
$134,064
$133,346
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$696,014
$328,258
Median house price - All housing units
$941,291
$412,434
Median house age
42
35
Renting percentage
51.7%
44.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,712.6
699.9
House value disparities
23.6%
31%
Household income disparities
42.3%
45.4%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$138,584
$93,092
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$97,588
$68,871
Housing units without a mortgage
2,803 (1.6%)
3,189 (2.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
12,495 (6.9%)
10,988 (9.6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
177,643 (98.4%)
110,850 (97.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
694 (0.4%)
333 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
16,654 (9.2%)
13,192 (11.6%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
11
9
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.8%
1.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.3%
0.5%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
One, detached
43.4%
50.9%
One, attached
9.9%
8.4%
Two
1.9%
3.3%
3 or 4
6.0%
3.1%
5 to 9
9.3%
7.1%
10 to 19
7.4%
8.7%
20 to 49
6.3%
5.3%
50 or more
14.6%
11.9%
Mobile homes
1.0%
1.2%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
39,709
31,952
State government workers
29,438
15,693
Unpaid family workers
808
463
Industries and Occupations
San Diego's economy is diverse featuring biotechnology, healthcare, international trade, research, and tourism as main industries. On the other hand, Nashville is known as the Music City and hosts many jobs in the music industry. Nashville also has a thriving healthcare industry. Both of these cities provide ample opportunities for different occupations.
Both cities have world-class health care systems. San Diego is home to UC San Diego Health and Sharp Healthcare, while Nashville has the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Both cities offer top-tier healthcare facilities and services.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
San Diego has a well-developed infrastructure, featuring several interstate highways and a public transport system that includes light rail and bus service. Nashville's highway infrastructure is well developed, but its public transit infrastructure lags behind San Diego's. Nashville has been struggling to build up its public transit system.
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
San Diego
Nashville-Davidson
1999
3,865
2,397
2000
2,257
1,451
2001
1,754
1,130
2002
2,118
1,075
2003
5,074
2,231
2004
7,646
2,731
2005
8,409
3,231
2006
7,551
3,720
2007
5,741
2,419
2008
2,876
952
2009
1,675
532
Culture and Food
San Diego, with its close proximity to Mexico, is renowned for its outstanding Mexican cuisine, craft beer and seafood. Nashville is famous for barbecue, hot chicken, and being the Country Music Capital of the World.
Sports Teams
San Diego is home to the Padres (MLB) and Gulls (AHL), while Nashville hosts the Titans (NFL), Predators (NHL), and Nashville SC (MLS). Both cities have storied histories in their respective sports cultures.
San Diego, CA and 
Nashville-Davidson, TN : 1,739.2 miles
