Cost of Living in Nashville, TN
Nashville's cost of living index is 106 — making it 5.7% more expensive than the US national average. To maintain your current standard of living here, you would need to earn $106,000 for every $100,000 of national-average income.
The Nashville Tax & Cost Impact
Since Tennessee has no state income tax, moving to Nashville provides an immediate "automatic raise" of roughly 5-10% for most W-2 employees compared to high-tax states.
Decision Matrix
- ✓Housing: Housing is a value-play compared to national tiers.
- ✓Savings Rate: To save $2,000/mo here, you need a gross household income of ~$89,040.
COL Index
106
100 = national avg
Monthly Budget
$5,300
vs $5,000 national
Population
0.7M
Metro area
State Tax
None
Tennessee
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs in Nashville vs national average for a typical household.
| Category | National Avg | Nashville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,650 | $1,799 | +$149 |
| Groceries | $650 | $681 | +$31 |
| Transportation | $800 | $843 | +$43 |
| Healthcare | $400 | $417 | +$17 |
| Utilities | $300 | $318 | +$18 |
| Other | $1,200 | $1,258 | +$58 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,300 | +$300 |
Salary Equivalent
To maintain the same standard of living in Nashville, a national-average salary translates to:
$50,000 nationally
$53,000
$75,000 nationally
$79,500
$100,000 nationally
$106,000
$150,000 nationally
$159,000
What Your Salary Gets You in Nashville
Here's how different salary levels translate to monthly purchasing power in Nashville, TN, where the cost of living is 6% above the national average.
Cities With Similar Cost of Living
FAQ: Cost of Living in Nashville
Is Nashville expensive to live in?
Nashville's cost of living index is 106, which is slightly above the national average of 100. Housing is typically the biggest factor, with estimated monthly rent around $1,749.
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Nashville?
To maintain a middle-class lifestyle in Nashville, you'd need approximately $79,500 per year, which is equivalent to a $75,000 salary at the national average cost of living.
How does Nashville compare to other cities?
Nashville is comparable in cost to Chicago, Fresno, Virginia Beach. More affordable alternatives include Jacksonville, Albuquerque, Columbus.