salaryNashville is the largest city in Tennessee that we track, with 690,130 residents. Rent is higher than in 62% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.0 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $75,240 a year. That is $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Tennessee cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Tennessee. It is number 95 of 114 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Nashville with other big cities
Compare Nashville to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Nashville?
Share of households by yearly income. 28.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Nashville
| Size | Nashville | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,490 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,493 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,652 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,048 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,314 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Nashville overall?
Everyday prices in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin metro area are 4% below the U.S. average (index 96.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Nashville
Life in Nashville
What jobs pay in Nashville
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $142,540 | 15.8% |
| Pharmacist | $137,590 | 16.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $129,050 | 17.5% |
| Software Developer | $126,610 | 17.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,320 | 18.5% |
| Operations Manager | $119,990 | 18.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $99,270 | 22.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $98,650 | 22.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,030 | 24.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $84,040 | 26.9% |
| Accountant | $78,080 | 28.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $77,240 | 29.2% |
| Police Officer | $68,780 | 32.8% |
| Electrician | $63,340 | 35.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,940 | 36.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,460 | 36.7% |
| Truck Driver | $60,630 | 37.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $60,270 | 37.5% |
| Plumber | $60,100 | 37.6% |
| Carpenter | $55,770 | 40.5% |
| Firefighter | $49,300 | 45.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,510 | 49.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,620 | 50.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,790 | 56.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,510 | 57.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,170 | 59.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,420 | 65.6% |
| Cashier | $30,570 | 73.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $29,390 | 76.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Nashville?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $989 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $413,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $41,360 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Nashville, TN?
Renting in Nashville costs a median of about $1,881 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Tennessee median is $1,279.
How much do I need to make to live in Nashville?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $75,240 a year, or $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Nashville cheap or expensive?
Nashville is rated OK: rent takes 27.1% of the typical household income of $83,445. It ranks 95th cheapest of 114 Tennessee cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Nashville?
The median homeowner in Nashville pays $2,472 a year in property taxes, about 0.60% of the median home value.
Is Nashville more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Nashville?
The median home value in Nashville is $413,600, about 5.0 times the typical yearly household income.
690,130 people live in Nashville. Numbers are typical (middle) values.