Cost of Living in Nashville
Overall index: 101.5 — 11 points above Tennessee average. Tennessee statewide average: 90.1.
Where your money goes in Nashville
Estimated spending breakdown on a $75,000 salary in Nashville
Estimated annual spending: $64,547($10,453 remaining)
What things cost in Nashville
| Item | Nashville | Tennessee avg | US avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $420,000 | $310,000 | $360,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,650/mo | $1,154/mo | $1,400/mo |
| Gas (regular) | $3.14/gal | $3.14/gal | $3.50/gal |
| Electric bill | $97/mo | $97/mo | $137/mo |
| Infant childcare | $14,000/yr | $12,249/yr | $13,500/yr |
Index by category
Nashville vs Tennessee statewide. National average = 100.
FAQ
What is the cost of living in Nashville?
Nashville has an overall cost-of-living index of 101.5 (national average = 100). This is higher than the Tennessee statewide average of 90.1. Median home prices are $420,000 and average 2BR rent is $1,650/month.
Is Nashville expensive to live in?
Nashville is near the national average with an index of 101.5.
How much does rent cost in Nashville?
Average 2-bedroom rent in Nashville is $1,650/month, compared to the national average of $1,400/month and the Tennessee statewide average of $1,154/month.
What salary do I need to live in Nashville?
A $75,000 salary at the national average cost of living is equivalent to $76,125 in Nashville. Your money goes about as far or further than the national average.
Where does this data come from?
Metro-level data combines BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), C2ER COLI metro indices (2025), Zillow ZHVI/ZORI metro data (2024-2025), and state-level data from MERIC, AAA, EIA, and Child Care Aware.
Related tools
- Tennessee Cost of Living — Statewide averages and all metro areas
- Tennessee Paycheck Calculator — Calculate take-home pay
- House Affordability in Tennessee — How much house can you afford?
- Compare any two states
Metro-level data from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), C2ER COLI (2025), and Zillow ZHVI (2024-2025). Where metro data is unavailable, Tennessee statewide averages are used.