Nashville, TN cost of living
Income, rent, home values and the city tax rate for Nashville, Tennessee, from the Census Bureau, Redfin and the City of Nashville, with the source next to every number.
Nashville cost of living at a glance
For Nashville city, the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2020-2024) reports a median household income of $77,371, median rent of $1,586 a month and a median owner-estimated home value of $413,600. Redfin's median sale price was $464,779 as of September 30, 2026, and the Metro property tax rate is $2.814 per $100 of assessed value in the Urban Services District and $2.782 in the rest of Davidson County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year estimates, 2020-2024); Redfin Data Center (rolling 3 months ending September 30, 2026); Metro Nashville FY27 budget.
Income, rent and home value: Nashville and nearby cities
Numbers only, listed alphabetically after Nashville. These are different places with different home types, so a lower or higher number is not a ranking.
| City | Median household income | Median rent | Median home value | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | $77,371 | $1,586 | $413,600 | 52.4% |
| Brentwood | $182,088 | $2,825 | $1,031,300 | 90.4% |
| Columbia | $63,719 | $1,197 | $308,700 | 63.3% |
| Franklin | $119,528 | $1,923 | $705,400 | 63.8% |
| Murfreesboro | $80,108 | $1,481 | $402,100 | 52.4% |
| Nolensville | $177,148 | $2,454 | $777,800 | 93.6% |
| Spring Hill | $112,013 | $1,844 | $493,800 | 73.4% |
| Thompson's Station | $132,647 | $2,088 | $700,500 | 81.3% |
Income is in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars. Home value is the owner's own estimate. Rent is for units that pay rent. Estimates have margins of error. Redfin's sale prices measure actual recent sales, so the two home-value figures differ.
Nashville cost of living FAQ
What is the cost of living in Nashville, TN?
There is no single official number. The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2020-2024) shows a median household income of $77,371, median rent of $1,586 a month and a median owner-estimated home value of $413,600 for Nashville city. Redfin's median sale price was $464,779 as of September 30, 2026.
What is the median rent in Nashville, TN?
The Census Bureau's median gross rent for Nashville city was $1,586 a month (American Community Survey, 2020-2024). It covers units that pay rent and varies by size, age and location.
What is the median household income in Nashville, TN?
$77,371, in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars (American Community Survey, 2020-2024).
Why are the Census home value and the Redfin sale price different?
The Census figure is the owner's own estimate of what their home would sell for, averaged over five years of survey responses. Redfin's figure is the median price of homes that actually sold in the most recent three months. The two measure different things.
What is the property tax rate in Nashville?
Nashville and Davidson County share one Metro government, so there is one combined rate: $2.814 per $100 of assessed value in the Urban Services District and $2.782 in the rest of the county (2026 tax year). See the Nashville property taxes page.
Another way buyers frame the question is to compare the full monthly cost of buying (payment, taxes, insurance, maintenance) with the monthly cost of renting a comparable home, and to weigh how long they expect to stay. This page is general information, not legal, tax, lending or financial advice. Equal Housing Opportunity.
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