| Index | Nashville | Tennessee | National |
| Cost of living | 110 | 92 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 137 | 80 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 103 | 97 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 99 | 97 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Nashville? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Nashville stands at 110, making it 10% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Nashville aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Nashville residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Nashville cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 37.4% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 44 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Nashville. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 30% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 70% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Wondering if Nashville is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Nashville, for example, the median home price is 44.6% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 20.4% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Nashville boasting a median household income of $93,264, which is 14.7% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Nashville, the general sales tax rate starts at 7%, and income tax rates begin at 0%.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Nashville, the transportation index is 2.5% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Nashville, the groceries index is 3.8% lower than the national average.
The Nashville cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $121,337 | $10,111 | $2,831 | $3,640 |
| Renters | $66,752 | $5,563 | $1,557 | $2,003 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Tennessee | 7% | 9.75% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Tennessee | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| La Vergne, TN | 36,426 | 102 | 2.0% |
| Smyrna, TN | 52,802 | 103 | 3.0% |
| Pleasant View, TN | 4,781 | 108 | 7.7% |
| Goodlettsville, TN | 17,430 | 108 | 7.7% |
| Green Hill, TN | 7,567 | 110 | 10.4% |
| Nashville, TN | 692,022 | 110 | 10.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Detroit, MI | 692,044 | 82 | 17.6% |
| Vancouver, BC | 694,440 | n/a | |
| El Paso, TX | 703,663 | 95 | 5.4% |
| Portland, OR | 675,307 | 139 | 38.8% |
| Memphis, TN | 674,455 | 91 | 9.1% |
| Nashville, TN | 692,022 | 110 | 10.0% |
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