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Cost of living in Nashville, TN

Livability score 63 · cost-of-living index 97.0 (US = 100)

Nashville, TN
Photo: Quintin Soloviev via Commons · CC BY 4.0

How Nashville compares

Where Nashville falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).

Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 97 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 97 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $456k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $456k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $228 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $228 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 9.6% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 9.6% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 0.55% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 0.55% Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 600 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 600 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 14.9 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 14.9 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 89° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 89° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 30° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 30°

Map of Nashville

Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps

Cost of living

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)97.0metro-area#111 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)94.3metro-area#43 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)$5.52metro-area#110 of 200
Median household income$79,020metro-area#63 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)$43,535metro-area#58 of 200

Who lives here

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median age36.8 yearsmetro-area#57 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)39.9%metro-area#42 of 200
Foreign-born residents9.3%metro-area#81 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied65.6%metro-area#110 of 200

Economy

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Unemployment rate3.80%metro-area#20 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)+8.8%metro-area#33 of 200

Housing — what your money buys

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median home price$455,958metro-area#159 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)5.8×metro-area#154 of 200
1-yr home appreciation-0.9%metro-area#155 of 200
Price per square foot$228metro-area#144 of 200
Typical home size (implied)2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)$1,798metro-area#137 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)10,672
Median days on market22metro-area#128 of 200

Taxes

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)7.6%state#2 of 200
Combined sales tax9.55%state#189 of 200
State income tax (top rate)None
Capital gains taxNonestate#1 of 200
High earnersNo special surtax
Social Security in retirementNot taxed — has no state income tax, so Social Security is untaxed along with everything else
Effective property tax rate0.55%metro-area#26 of 200
Median property tax paid$1,888metro-area#58 of 200

Health & childcare

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Life expectancy at birth75.8 yearsmetro-area#127 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)$6,300state#17 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)10.5%metro-area#131 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k70metro-area#125 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)$9,000state#25 of 200

Vehicles & commute

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Annual registration$55state#13 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)Nonestate#1 of 200
Emissions testingNot required
Emissions detailStatewide testing ended 2022
DMV & license offices14
Avg commute to work28 minmetro-area#169 of 200
Commute by driving alone72.6%metro-area#68 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min43.7%metro-area#176 of 200

Utilities & fuel

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Electricity14.9¢/kWhstate#32 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill$134state#32 of 200
Gasoline$2.95/galstate#3 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)$62state#69 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)$121state#132 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)$80state#106 of 200

Insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Home insurance (annual)$2,200state#129 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)$1,600state#51 of 200

Disaster risk & supplemental insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Main natural hazardsNotable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)84.9 — Relatively Moderatemetro-area#66 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)$700state#61 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)$350state#149 of 200

Climate & air quality

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)51metro-area#138 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)1,700metro-area#128 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)93%state#87 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)3,600metro-area#94 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F40metro-area#118 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F1metro-area#105 of 200
Avg summer high (state)89°Fmetro-area#113 of 200
Avg winter low30°Fmetro-area#89 of 200
Annual precipitation50.5"metro-area#162 of 200
Annual snowfall4.7"metro-area#83 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)56%metro-area#132 of 200
Plant hardiness zone7a
Frost window04-10 → 11-01

Safety

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)600state#185 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)2,600state#157 of 200

Local amenities & recreation

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Grocery stores58metro-area#106 of 200
Parks31
Hiking areas22
Golf courses22
Shooting ranges8
Lakes2

Permits

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)2state#1 of 200
Permit detailGenerally easy

US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.

Top employers in Nashville

Major public and private employers in the Nashville, TN area.

EmployerSectorJobs
Vanderbilt University Medical Center Healthcare Search →
State of Tennessee Government Search →
Nissan North America automotive Careers →
HCA Healthcare Healthcare Search →
Metro Nashville Government Government Search →
Ascension Healthcare Search →

Salaries by occupation in Nashville

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

OccupationMedian pay
Dentists $150,210
Financial Managers $135,540
Lawyers $134,380
Pharmacists $133,520
Marketing Managers $130,460
Human Resources Managers $122,040
Software Developers $119,380
Physician Assistants $119,280
General & Operations Managers $101,750
Physical Therapists $99,860
Civil Engineers $97,660
Data Scientists $97,290
Mechanical Engineers $96,680
Construction Managers $89,300
Dental Hygienists $84,350
Web Developers $79,400
Registered Nurses $78,020
Accountants & Auditors $76,440
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $60,220
Electricians $58,430
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $55,630
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $54,650
Elementary School Teachers $52,580
Carpenters $51,580
Graphic Designers $49,660
Welders, Cutters & Solderers $47,110
Medical Assistants $39,760
Real Estate Sales Agents $38,080

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