Cost of Living in Nashville, TN - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $3,060 monthly including rent, or $1,319 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $4,613 with rent, or $2,278 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $6,166 including rent, or $3,238 for daily expenses alone.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.86 $17.86

$11.91 $11.91

$29.76 $29.76

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.8 $78.8

$59.1 $59.1

$108 $108

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.14 $10.14

$8.11 $8.11

$12.17 $12.17

Cappuccino

$5.89 $5.89

$4.46 $4.46

$8.91 $8.91

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$2.06 $2.06

$5.15 $5.15

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.39 $2.39

$1.96 $1.96

$3.43 $3.43

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.35 $6.35

$4.88 $4.88

$8.79 $8.79

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.19 $8.19

$5.12 $5.12

$13.30 $13.30

Milk (1 liter)

$1.11 $1.11

$0.78 $0.78

$1.57 $1.57

White Bread (500g)

$4.16 $4.16

$2.24 $2.24

$6.01 $6.01

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$2.18 $2.18

$6.55 $6.55

Eggs

$3.77 $3.77

$1.86 $1.86

$5.90 $5.90

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.99 $11.99

$7.28 $7.28

$71.0 $71.0

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.51 $15.51

$5.89 $5.89

$21.90 $21.90

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.50 $16.50

$12.27 $12.27

$17.85 $17.85

Apples (1kg)

$4.55 $4.55

$2.24 $2.24

$7.19 $7.19

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 $1.47

$1.11 $1.11

$3.61 $3.61

Oranges (1kg)

$5.71 $5.71

$1.49 $1.49

$10.82 $10.82

Tomato (1kg)

$5.46 $5.46

$1.55 $1.55

$7.13 $7.13

Potato (1kg)

$3.56 $3.56

$1.61 $1.61

$5.93 $5.93

Onion (1kg)

$4.12 $4.12

$2.71 $2.71

$6.74 $6.74

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.07 $2.07

$1.09 $1.09

$2.96 $2.96

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.73 $2.73

$1.99 $1.99

$2.98 $2.98

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.10 $9.10

$7.10 $7.10

$10.14 $10.14

Wine (Bottle)

$15.55 $15.55

$8.13 $8.13

$20.33 $20.33

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.08 $2.08

$1.76 $1.76

$2.91 $2.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.50 $4.50

$1.77 $1.77

$7.16 $7.16

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.95 $1.95

$2.44 $2.44

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$67.6 $67.6

$65.1 $65.1

$125 $125

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.04 $5.04

$7.06 $7.06

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.56 $1.56

$2.83 $2.83

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$20.97 $20.97

$49.92 $49.92

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.79 $0.79

$0.67 $0.67

$0.89 $0.89

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$33.1K $33.1K

$24.5K $24.5K

$37.6K $37.6K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.9K $26.9K

$26.0K $26.0K

$30.2K $30.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$199 $199

$135 $135

$296 $296

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$71.5 $71.5

$40.63 $40.63

$109 $109

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.5 $72.5

$55.4 $55.4

$121 $121

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.33 $40.33

$9.88 $9.88

$79.0 $79.0

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.15 $18.15

$15.12 $15.12

$30.25 $30.25

Cinema Ticket

$15.05 $15.05

$11.04 $11.04

$20.07 $20.07

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,226 $1,226

$754 $754

$1,581 $1,581

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.9K $29.9K

$23.6K $23.6K

$31.5K $31.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.7 $60.7

$30.12 $30.12

$89.4 $89.4

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.82 $47.82

$28.59 $28.59

$73.9 $73.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.0 $94.0

$50.8 $50.8

$122 $122

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$133 $133

$49.80 $49.80

$199 $199

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,856 $1,856

$1,475 $1,475

$2,459 $2,459

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,646 $1,646

$1,403 $1,403

$2,406 $2,406

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,069 $4,069

$3,170 $3,170

$5,031 $5,031

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,986 $2,986

$2,509 $2,509

$3,513 $3,513

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,819 $7,819

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,655 $2,655

$2,613 $2,613

$2,802 $2,802

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,361 $4,361

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.52

6.19

6.8

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: May 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,856 for a central one-bedroom, or $1,646 outside the center. At 43% of the average salary ($4,361), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $4,361, while typical expenses reach $3,060. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $4,590.

Expect to spend about $441 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $79.0 for two.

Public transport is priced at around $67.6 per month.

Cost Highlights

3-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 95% of cities in North America

Monthly cost (excluding rent) is more expensive than 95% of cities in North America

Family monthly cost (excluding rent) is more expensive than 95% of cities in North America

Nashville, TN Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Nashville, TN - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with major coastal hubs and tech centers, Nashville offers a practical blend of value and vibrancy. You can find flexible short-term stays and longer leases in diverse neighborhoods, plus a thriving food and music scene that doesn't price itself out of reach. For newcomers, Cost of Living in Nashville, TN, United States sits in a middle ground: relatively accessible housing options alongside costs that rise with location choice and season. The city rewards a mild, seasonal rhythm. Over time, you can align your budget with busy weekends or quieter weekdays. Tip: start with a neighborhood map of amenities to avoid sticker shock.

Neighborhoods like East Nashville, Germantown, and The Gulch offer different vibes and price ranges, so you can select based on commute and lifestyle. In housing terms, you’ll find a mix of apartments, townhomes, and house shares; start with longer stays to test fit. Food options are rich and affordable if you lean into local markets, casual diners, and BBQ joints, with plenty of mid-range choices for regular meals. For transport, a car is convenient, but biking lanes, ride-hailing, and a growing bus system ease most trips. Co-working spaces help you stay productive; errands are simple with nearby groceries and services. The Nashville, TN, United States living cost varies by neighborhood, so plan accordingly. Tip: map a weekly route to maximize time and savings.

Quality of life in Nashville blends music, outdoor miles, and community events, but your budget depends on rhythms. Establish a simple budget framework: fixed costs (rent, utilities) plus flexible spending (food, entertainment), then track a monthly target. To save, consider seasonal pricing patterns for utilities, gym passes, or coworking memberships; take advantage of farmers markets for groceries and cooking at home. Explore neighborhood fit by visiting in different seasons to gauge buzz and parking. If you plan long-term, test commute options in shoulder seasons when traffic is lighter. Tip: use a weekly meal plan and a transit-friendly route map to cut daily costs.

Living in Nashville, TN doesn't come cheap – monthly expenses with rent reach $3,060, putting it among the pricier cities worldwide. Housing dominates the cost, but food, services, and leisure all sit above the global median too.

Budget at least $3,060 per month to live in Nashville, TN once rent is factored in. The high price tag reflects quality infrastructure and a strong economy, but it does mean you need a decent income to live comfortably here.

Earning $4,590 monthly in Nashville, TN means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.

Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Nashville, TN range from $1,646 to $1,856, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.

A monthly transit pass in Nashville, TN runs about $67.6, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.

A single person's grocery bill in Nashville, TN runs about $441 monthly, which is above average. Everything from dairy and meat to fresh produce costs more here, reflecting the city's overall high price level.

At $3,060 in typical monthly expenses, a $2,500 budget barely covers Nashville, TN. You'd need a shared flat in an outer area, home-cooked meals, and serious discipline with discretionary spending to make it work.

Remote workers pick Nashville, TN for good reason: fast internet, vibrant nightlife, remote work facilities, all at about $3,060 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.