Cost of Living in Nashville

As the state capital, the cost of living in Nashville is slightly more expensive than the Tennessee state average. Regardless, newcomers to the city are likely to find things considerably more affordable than most other prominent US cities.

Cost of accommodation

Housing expenses are likely to account for the biggest part of your budget. Accommodation in Nashville is generally good value for money but, as Nashville grows in popularity, housing costs are rising too.

Rental prices in Nashville are relatively affordable, even for apartments in the city centre. Of course, the cost of renting a property will vary depending on the popularity of a particular area or suburb. If you're looking to live close to downtown Nashville or near Music Row, for example, the cost of rent is bound to be high.

As for buying, Nashville is an ideal place to invest in property – the ever-increasing popularity of the city means a continuous influx of new arrivals looking for rental properties.

Cost of healthcare in Nashville

Healthcare is Nashville’s foremost income generator and the city is quite the medical hub for the South, home to a fair few excellent hospitals. Though healthcare costs are reported to be nearly 10 percent lower than the national average, we recommend having a comprehensive health insurance plan. There are plenty of health insurance schemes on offer, but we advise that new arrivals invest some time researching to find the best fit for their needs.

Anyone moving to Nashville for a job offer should try to negotiate an employer contribution towards their medical insurance. This is a fairly common inclusion and is a boon to the budget.

Cost of education in Nashville

The cost of education in Nashville varies depending on the schooling path parents choose for their children. Newcomers to Nashville will have hundreds of private and public school options to choose from, so it most likely won't be a straightforward decision.

Attending a public school in Nashville will cost next to nothing, including charter and magnet schools, which usually offer a good standard of education. Private schools, on the other hand, set their own fees. Tuition can be pricey, increasing as the child progresses through grades. Additional expenses to consider include uniforms, textbooks, stationery, extracurricular activities and field trips.

Cost of transport in Nashville

Nashville is a pretty big city, so new arrivals will need to consider the cost of getting around when budgeting. While public transport in Nashville is affordable, this isn’t a viable option for most people. The system isn't as extensive as in some other US cities, and buses rarely arrive on time. For these reasons, most locals bite the bullet and get their own set of wheels.

Nashville has a fairly well-established automotive industry, and as such, it's fairly affordable to buy a car. But drivers need to factor in the cost of petrol (gas), the state’s car tax, and monthly car insurance premiums, all of which have a habit of adding up. Thankfully, petrol is cheaper than the national average, which is a relief considering the amount of driving the average Nashville resident does.

Cost of entertainment and eating out

Lifestyle expenses in Nashville will vary widely depending on your spending habits. There are plenty of opportunities to splurge in Nashville – an evening of craft cocktails at a rooftop bar, a fancy fine-dining experience or a ticket to a sell-out music event can easily cost a pretty penny.

On the flipside, there's also plenty to get up to without breaking the bank. Humble Southern soul food is what Nashville is famous for, and it's possible to eat your heart out at one of Nashville’s low-and-slow eateries without forking out a small fortune.

A cost-effective way of staying fit without paying for expensive gym memberships is to get out onto one of the hiking or biking trails at Radnor Lake State Park.

Although admission costs to see top musicians won’t come cheap, new Nashville residents will soon learn that the famous Nashville Honky Tonks are brilliant places to catch some surprisingly good music at no cost.

So, when it comes to entertainment, there is sure to be something fun to suit everyone’s preferences and budgets. Newcomers may just need to be flexible and open-minded until they find their fun.