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.

Nashville is near the national average with an index of 101.5.

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.

Groceries in Nashville have an index of 98.5 (national average = 100). A typical monthly grocery basket costs about $404 compared to the national average of $410. A dozen eggs costs around $4.88.

Center-based infant childcare in Nashville averages $14,000/year ($1,167/month). This is near the national average of $13,500/year. Data from Child Care Aware of America (2024).

Nashville's housing index is 108 vs the Tennessee statewide average of 82.4. Median home prices are $420,000 in Nashville vs $310,000 statewide, and 2BR rent averages $1,650/month vs $1,154/month statewide.

Nashville's transportation cost index is 92 (national average = 100). Regular gas averages $3.14/gallon. Transportation costs are near the national average.

Nashville's utility cost index is 88.1 (national average = 100). The estimated average monthly electric bill is $97, compared to the national average of $137/month and the Tennessee statewide average of $97/month. Utility rates are based on EIA 2024 residential electricity data.

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.

Based on Nashville's cost-of-living index of 101.5, a single adult needs approximately $50,750–$60,750/year to cover basic expenses (housing, food, transportation, healthcare). For a family of four, roughly double that. These estimates scale the national baseline by Nashville's local costs — actual needs vary by household size and lifestyle.

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.