Skyline of Nashville
Cost of Living: 100.5 694,144

Nashville, TN, US

Music City with live music everywhere, no state income tax, and booming healthcare.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Nashville is a city in TN with a population of 694,144. Music City with live music everywhere, no state income tax, and booming healthcare. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. A large share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Reported crime rates are relatively high. The population skews young, with a median age of 34.4.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 100.5

Above Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 105.2

Above Average

Median Income $65,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.1%

Job market health

Nashville vs US Average

Cost of Living
Nashville: 100.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Nashville: 105.2
US Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 9.2%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $65,000
  • Unemployment: 3.1%
  • Population: 694,144

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 208/year
  • Summer High: 89°F
  • Winter Low: 28°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $385,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1600/mo

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Cost of Living

Nashville's cost of living index is 100.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryNashvilleNational AverageDifference
Overall100.5100+0.5%
Housing105.2100+5.2%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$385,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1600/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$2,000/mo
Price per Sq Ft$256

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Nashville:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$105Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$53Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$6Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$45Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$55Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$289Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Nashville scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 100.5
Rent
— $1600
Sunny Days
— 208
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 3.1%
Climate
— 89°F / 28°F
Safety
— 14.6 homicides/100k
Population
— 694,144
Internet Speed
— 200 Mbps

Climate

Nashville has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January48°F28°F2.5"
April74°F43°F2.8"
July89°F64°F1.5"
October69°F46°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Nashville faces the following natural hazards:

Tornado High Risk

Dixie Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Flood High Risk

Flash floods and river flooding.

Heat Wave High Risk

Summer heat waves.

Landslide High Risk

Appalachian region with landslides.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

New Madrid Seismic Zone.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 9.25%
  • Property Tax: ~0.74% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.1%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Nashville per 100,000 residents:

1,124.1
Violent Crime
4,509.5
Property Crime
14.6
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

100/100
School Quality Score
?
127
Total Schools

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Demographics

The population of Nashville is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
3.4%
Black or African American
25.2%
Hispanic or Latino
13.8%
Native American
0.1%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.1%
Other
0.5%
Two or more races
4.0%
White
52.9%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
46.9%
High school graduate
20.2%
Less than high school
9.8%
Some college
23.1%

Religion

Christian
78.0%
Other
6.0%
Unaffiliated
16.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Nashville, TN, US?

The cost of living index in Nashville is 100.5, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Nashville?

The median home price in Nashville is $385,000. The housing index is 105.2.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Nashville is approximately $1600/mo.

Does Nashville, TN have income tax?

Nashville is in TN, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Nashville?

Nashville enjoys approximately 208 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 89°F, while winter lows can drop to around 28°F.

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Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.