Cost of Living Comparison for Nashville, TN
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Nashville's cost of living index is 112 — 12% more expensive than the national average. This factors in housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Use this calculator to see how your purchasing power would change if you moved to another city.
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How Nashville Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Nashville stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Nashville, TN | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $445,000 | $420,800 | +5.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,556 | $1,713 | -9.2% |
| Median Household Income | $72,200 | $74,580 | -3.2% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.69% | 1.10% | -37.3% |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 100 | +12.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Nashville Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 2,020,000
- Unemployment
- 2.9%
- Avg Commute
- 27 min
- Median Age
- 34.6
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 23.8x
- Annual Property Tax
- $3,071
Cost of Living Comparison in Other Tennessee Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Nashville
What is the median home price in Nashville, TN?
The median home price in Nashville is $445,000 as of 2025–2026. This is above the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Nashville?
Median monthly rent in Nashville is $1,556. That works out to $18,672/year, or 26% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Nashville affordable?
Nashville's cost of living index is 112 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $72,200/year and a median home price of $445,000, the price-to-income ratio is 6.2x. This makes homeownership a significant stretch for the typical Nashville household.
What is the property tax rate in Nashville?
The effective property tax rate in Nashville is 0.69% of assessed value. On the median home of $445,000, that's roughly $3,071/year ($256/month).