Cost of Living in Nashville, TN
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Nashville, TN to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Nashville, TN?
With a price level of 96.3 (U.S. average = 100), Nashville, TN is cheaper than average. In detail, housing costs run 5% above average; everyday goods are 4% below average; utilities are 28% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining are 5% below average. The biggest difference from the national average is in utilities.
Prices in Nashville, TN vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 96.3 | −3.7% |
| Housing | 104.6 | +4.6% |
| Goods | 96.2 | −3.8% |
| Utilities | 72.0 | −28.0% |
| Other services | 95.1 | −4.9% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Nashville, TN
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,464 | $58,560/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,530 | $61,200/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,685 | $67,400/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,154 | $86,160/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,616 | $104,640/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Nashville, TN
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Nashville, TN | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $38,500 | $33,115 |
| $60,000 | $57,800 | $48,622 |
| $80,000 | $77,100 | $63,070 |
| $100,000 | $96,300 | $76,577 |
| $150,000 | $144,500 | $110,032 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Tennessee 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Nashville, TN's median wage of $50,390 takes home about $3,556 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,530, which is 43% of take-home pay — well above the 30% guideline, so many workers here share housing or rent smaller units. That leaves about $2,026 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Nashville, TN
- Federal income tax$3,867
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,124
- Medicare (1.45%)$731
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$42,668
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in Nashville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $239,200+ | $212,445 | $220,521 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $165,970 | $124,706 | $129,447 |
| Financial Manager | $156,860 | $118,480 | $122,983 |
| Lawyer | $142,540 | $108,692 | $112,824 |
| Pharmacist | $137,590 | $105,309 | $109,312 |
| Marketing Manager | $135,370 | $103,791 | $107,737 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $133,220 | $102,322 | $106,211 |
| Sales Manager | $131,600 | $101,215 | $105,062 |
| Software Developer | $126,610 | $97,804 | $101,522 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,320 | $94,872 | $98,478 |
| Construction Manager | $122,190 | $94,783 | $98,386 |
| General and Operations Manager | $119,990 | $93,243 | $96,787 |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $116,480 | $90,774 | $94,224 |
| Managers, All Other | $104,130 | $82,085 | $85,206 |
| Management Analyst | $102,640 | $81,037 | $84,118 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $99,600 | $78,899 | $81,898 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $99,270 | $78,666 | $81,657 |
| Financial and Investment Analyst | $97,490 | $77,414 | $80,357 |
| Project Management Specialist | $85,990 | $69,324 | $71,959 |
| Registered Nurse | $84,040 | $67,952 | $70,535 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Tennessee cities
Half of Tennessee’s 3,278,760 workers earn less than $47,380 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $35,830–$71,050 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Jackson, TN stretches a paycheck furthest, while Cleveland, TN is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | $50,390 | 96.3 | $1,530 | 43% | $2,026 | $44,290 |
| Memphis, TN | $46,890 | 92.2 | $1,137 | 34% | $2,184 | $43,238 |
| Knoxville, TN | $47,080 | 92.6 | $1,126 | 34% | $2,208 | $43,220 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $46,700 | 91.5 | $1,263 | 38% | $2,046 | $43,409 |
| Kingsport, TN | $45,240 | 86.4 | $818 | 25% | $2,393 | $44,571 |
| Clarksville, TN | $44,860 | 90.9 | $1,082 | 34% | $2,103 | $42,030 |
| Jackson, TN | $44,790 | 85.5 | $880 | 28% | $2,301 | $44,630 |
| Johnson City, TN | $43,480 | 87.9 | $893 | 29% | $2,200 | $42,212 |
| Morristown, TN | $44,280 | 86.4 | $887 | 28% | $2,260 | $43,721 |
| Cleveland, TN | $40,230 | 88.1 | $940 | 33% | $1,935 | $39,174 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Nashville, TN vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 96.3 | $1,530 | $50,390 | 1,099,300 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 95.4 | $1,043 | $50,170 | 1,101,030 |
| Kansas City, MO | 92.5 | $1,193 | $50,820 | 1,096,110 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 95.7 | $1,242 | $49,340 | 1,105,170 |
| Columbus, OH | 95.5 | $1,179 | $51,340 | 1,105,580 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 94.7 | $1,058 | $49,650 | 1,114,490 |
| Sacramento, CA | 106.7 | $1,812 | $59,750 | 1,080,590 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Nashville, TN expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area are 96.3% of the U.S. average, with housing at 104.6%. It is the #143 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Nashville, TN?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $57,803 in Nashville, TN (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $50,390.
Can you afford Nashville, TN on the median wage?
A single worker on the $50,390 median wage takes home about $3,556 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,530 would take 43% of that.
How much is rent in Nashville, TN?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Nashville, TN are $1,464 for a studio, $1,530 for one bedroom, $1,685 for two bedrooms and $2,154 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Nashville, TN
Management Occupations
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $165,970
- Financial Manager — $156,860
- Marketing Manager — $135,370
- Administrative Services Manager — $133,220
- Sales Manager — $131,600
- Construction Manager — $122,190
- General and Operations Manager — $119,990
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $116,480
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Management Analyst — $102,640
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $97,490
- Project Management Specialist — $85,990
- Accountant and Auditor — $78,080
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $78,030
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $77,240
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $76,400
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $68,130
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $126,610
- Computer Systems Analyst — $99,270
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $81,310
- Web and Digital Interface Designer — $63,510
- Computer User Support Specialist — $58,960
Community and Social Service Occupations
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $142,540
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $60,800
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $64,710
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $61,460
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $61,090
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $32,620
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $30,820
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
- Coach and Scout — $39,170
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $137,590
- Nurse Practitioner — $122,320
- Registered Nurse — $84,040
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $65,060
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $61,940
- Pharmacy Technician — $45,950
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Dental Assistant — $48,540
- Medical Assistant — $44,620
- Nursing Assistant — $39,510
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,380
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $68,780
- Security Guard — $37,010
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,630
- Cooks, Restaurant — $38,170
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $37,910
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,640
- Dishwasher — $34,380
- Cooks, Fast Food — $34,210
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $29,520
- Waiter and Waitress — $29,390
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $37,910
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,130
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $34,200
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Childcare Worker — $34,450
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $34,430
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $99,600
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $63,800
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $62,930
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $60,590
- Insurance Sales Agent — $57,140
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $51,990
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $39,890
- Retail Salesperson — $34,420
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $73,700
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $73,060
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $56,270
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $50,810
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $49,000
- Billing and Posting Clerk — $48,640
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $45,780
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $45,570
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $78,830
- Electrician — $63,340
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $60,100
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $56,030
- Carpenter — $55,770
- Construction Laborer — $46,190
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $76,680
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $70,030
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $60,270
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $58,700
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $48,780
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $70,470
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $56,400
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $49,460
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $47,170
- Production Workers, All Other — $40,510
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker — $35,070
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $62,900
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $60,630
- Light Truck Driver — $44,970
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $44,600
- Driver/Sales Worker — $43,190
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $39,790
- Stocker and Order Filler — $38,190
- Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment — $36,760