iStock.com/benedek
Whether you’re looking to jump-start your music career, looking for an area close to an abundance of outdoor space, or are moving for another reason, Nashville, Tennessee is a great place to live. With a population of almost 700,000 in the city and the total residents in the 13 surrounding counties, that number is up to nearly two million. With that many people living in Music City, you may be wondering how expensive living in Nashville is? Here’s a quick guide to the cost of living in Nashville to help navigate your move.
The average cost of living in Nashville
The Nashville, Tennessee, cost of living is about 3% higher than the overall national average, and the housing market is about 9% lower than the national average. When trying to determine the cost of living in Nashville, you’ll need to factor in things such as your average salary, career, current real estate market, and the area you’re looking in. Compared to New York, Nashville is about 57% less expensive to live in overall. But, compared to other cities in the state, it’s certainly not the cheapest place to live in Tennessee.
What to consider when determining the cost of living in Nashville
Housing costs in NashvilleRecommended salary in NashvilleNashville utilitiy costsNashville transportation costsNashville food costsNashville entertainment costsNashville healthcare costs
Housing costs in Nashville
Prices for apartments in Nashville will vary depending on your needs. On average, you can expect to pay around $1,560 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,750 for a two-bedroom. This rate may change based on the area you’re looking in. Downtown areas tend to be more costly due to their highly sought-after locations. You may be able to find something with more space and a lower price in areas slightly outside of the city.
Popular Nashville neighborhoods
While the hustle of downtown Nashville is appealing for some, there are several other great areas to live in around the city. This city gives you the luxury of choosing from fantastic neighborhoods, each offering relatively affordable rent. Here are some of the top choices:
Downtown: Each U.S. city is pretty likely to offer a lucrative downtown area with increased rental prices. If you’re looking for an apartment here, you can expect to pay more simply due to the convenience and highly sought-after location. East Nashville: This community offers various dining and shopping opportunities and is a top area for musicians, entrepreneurs, and artists of all kinds.Lockeland Springs: This historic neighborhood is a welcoming area with various home, condo, and apartment options. It’s a great choice if you’re looking to slow down a little.Germantown: Young professionals thrive in Germantown, a pet-friendly area that is accessible to travel by foot.
While these are only a few of the neighborhoods you’ll find in this bustling city, they’re each great options to live in and offer different rental prices and options for living spaces.
How to find affordable apartments in Nashville
Your best bet for finding a cheap apartment in Nashville is to do your research. Narrow down your searches based on the criteria you need to have met, such as the number of bedrooms, outdoor space, and proximity to your workplace or school. Once you do this, you’ll get a better idea of what you can expect to pay for your rent here. Quick online searches will provide you with several different options for neighborhoods, apartments, and even houses for rent that will fall within your budget.
Recommended salary for living in Nashville
Before moving to Nashville, you’ll want to know what salary you can expect when working in the city. The average salary in Nashville, TN is $65,000 per year, and the minimum wage in the state of Tennessee is $7.25. To determine your recommended salary to accommodate the cost of living in Nashville, you will need to total your monthly spending on rent, utilities, food, entertainment, and miscellaneous bills. The best thing to do is follow the 30% rule, which recommends that rent should only be 30% of your monthly budget. As the current median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Nashville is $1,560, your recommended monthly income would be $5,200 or $62,400 annually. Using the 30% rule can give you a better idea of where you should look for apartments in the Nashville area to find the best rentals that accommodate your monthly budget.
Cost of utilities in Nashville
Your rent won’t be the only cost when moving to Nashville. The utility prices in Nashville are slightly lower than the national average. The distinct seasons here can help you take advantage of the natural climate, allowing you to turn off the AC or heating unit when it’s nice outside. With this being said, you can expect to pay around $180 for your basic monthly utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water) for a 915 square foot apartment. For fast internet speeds, you can expect to have to pay about $80 per month, with prices changing as your speeds increase or decrease.
Cost of transportation in Nashville
Credits: iStock.com/csfotoimages
When living in Nashville you’ll have the option to utilize public transportation to access point of interest throughout the city. The public transportation system in Nashville is WeGo Public Transit. The system features more than 50 bus routes that can take passengers throughout the city. A one-way ticket will cost $2.00, all day passes are $4.00, and a monthly pass will cost you $65.00.
Public transportation is available and is easy to access in the downtown area. However, if you live in a suburb or have to travel long distances for work or school, it’s probably best to own your own vehicle. With tourism and the population expanding, you can expect a little bit of traffic. The increase in traffic is another top reason to have your own vehicle. If you plan on owning a car in Nashville, you’ll want to factor in car insurance and gas prices into your monthly budget. The current price of gas in Nashville is $4.06/gallon as of March 2022. The annual premium for car insurance in Nashville is $1,345.
Cost of food in Nashville
Nashville is known for its amazing food scene, especially the barbecue and hot chicken. When living in Nashville, you’ll want to budget for the best meals. An average meal at an inexpensive restaurant will cost around $15. A meal for two at a mid-rage restaurant will average around $65. Nashville residents spend on average around $3,000 per month on both groceries and dining out. For some of the best Nashville eats, we recommend checking out Shotgun Willie’s BBQ where you’ll be able to sample the best Nashville barbecue.
Cost of entertainment in Nashville
Credits: iStock.com/benedek
You won’t be short of things to do when living in Nashville. As one of the most well known live music capitols in the country, you’ll have a wide range of entertainment to choose from. Many bars throughout Downtown Nashville showcase free live music during the evenings, but you can also experience top headliners at music venues including The Grand Ole Opry. The average cost of a concert ticket in Nashville is $135, but will vary depending on popularity and venue. Interested in taking in a Nashville sporting event? Tickets to the Tennessee Titans football games at Nissan Stadium average $100, and tickets to the Nashville Predators hockey games at Bridgestone Arena average $45.
Other popular Nashville entertainment options and pricing
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – $27.95 per adult, $17.95 per youthThe Johnny Cash Museum – $22.95 per adult, $18.95 per youthRCA Studio B – $47.95 per adult, $37.95 per youthNashville Zoo – $16-25 varying by day, youth under 2 are free
Healthcare costs in Nashville
Healthcare insurance costs in the Nashville area are lower than the national average, and so is veterinarian care. The average annual healthcare premium for single individuals in Nashville is $1,230 in an employee sponsored plan. If you do not receive healthcare through your employer, Tennessee has heath care programs available to residents that be accessed through the Tenessee Department of Health portal.
If you’re a fan of live music, delicious food, and an opportunity for adventure, Nashville is a great place to live. The affordable housing market and ample job opportunities make this city a top area for those looking for a new area to live. Before making your move to Nashville, consider all aspects of the cost of living to determine your budget and then find the perfect apartment in The Music City.
The post Cost of Living in Nashville appeared first on The Zumper Blog.
Whether you’re looking to jump-start your music career, looking for an area close to an abundance of outdoor space, or are moving for another reason, Nashville, Tennessee is a great place to live. With a population of almost 700,000 in the city and the total residents in the 13 surrounding counties, that number is up
The post Cost of Living in Nashville appeared first on The Zumper Blog.iStock.com/benedek
Whether you’re looking to jump-start your music career, looking for an area close to an abundance of outdoor space, or are moving for another reason, Nashville, Tennessee is a great place to live. With a population of almost 700,000 in the city and the total residents in the 13 surrounding counties, that number is up to nearly two million. With that many people living in Music City, you may be wondering how expensive living in Nashville is? Here’s a quick guide to the cost of living in Nashville to help navigate your move.
The average cost of living in Nashville
The Nashville, Tennessee, cost of living is about 3% higher than the overall national average, and the housing market is about 9% lower than the national average. When trying to determine the cost of living in Nashville, you’ll need to factor in things such as your average salary, career, current real estate market, and the area you’re looking in. Compared to New York, Nashville is about 57% less expensive to live in overall. But, compared to other cities in the state, it’s certainly not the cheapest place to live in Tennessee.
What to consider when determining the cost of living in Nashville
Housing costs in NashvilleRecommended salary in NashvilleNashville utilitiy costsNashville transportation costsNashville food costsNashville entertainment costsNashville healthcare costs
Housing costs in Nashville
Prices for apartments in Nashville will vary depending on your needs. On average, you can expect to pay around $1,560 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,750 for a two-bedroom. This rate may change based on the area you’re looking in. Downtown areas tend to be more costly due to their highly sought-after locations. You may be able to find something with more space and a lower price in areas slightly outside of the city.
Popular Nashville neighborhoods
While the hustle of downtown Nashville is appealing for some, there are several other great areas to live in around the city. This city gives you the luxury of choosing from fantastic neighborhoods, each offering relatively affordable rent. Here are some of the top choices:
Downtown: Each U.S. city is pretty likely to offer a lucrative downtown area with increased rental prices. If you’re looking for an apartment here, you can expect to pay more simply due to the convenience and highly sought-after location. East Nashville: This community offers various dining and shopping opportunities and is a top area for musicians, entrepreneurs, and artists of all kinds.Lockeland Springs: This historic neighborhood is a welcoming area with various home, condo, and apartment options. It’s a great choice if you’re looking to slow down a little.Germantown: Young professionals thrive in Germantown, a pet-friendly area that is accessible to travel by foot.
While these are only a few of the neighborhoods you’ll find in this bustling city, they’re each great options to live in and offer different rental prices and options for living spaces.
How to find affordable apartments in Nashville
Your best bet for finding a cheap apartment in Nashville is to do your research. Narrow down your searches based on the criteria you need to have met, such as the number of bedrooms, outdoor space, and proximity to your workplace or school. Once you do this, you’ll get a better idea of what you can expect to pay for your rent here. Quick online searches will provide you with several different options for neighborhoods, apartments, and even houses for rent that will fall within your budget.
Recommended salary for living in Nashville
Before moving to Nashville, you’ll want to know what salary you can expect when working in the city. The average salary in Nashville, TN is $65,000 per year, and the minimum wage in the state of Tennessee is $7.25. To determine your recommended salary to accommodate the cost of living in Nashville, you will need to total your monthly spending on rent, utilities, food, entertainment, and miscellaneous bills. The best thing to do is follow the 30% rule, which recommends that rent should only be 30% of your monthly budget. As the current median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Nashville is $1,560, your recommended monthly income would be $5,200 or $62,400 annually. Using the 30% rule can give you a better idea of where you should look for apartments in the Nashville area to find the best rentals that accommodate your monthly budget.
Cost of utilities in Nashville
Your rent won’t be the only cost when moving to Nashville. The utility prices in Nashville are slightly lower than the national average. The distinct seasons here can help you take advantage of the natural climate, allowing you to turn off the AC or heating unit when it’s nice outside. With this being said, you can expect to pay around $180 for your basic monthly utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water) for a 915 square foot apartment. For fast internet speeds, you can expect to have to pay about $80 per month, with prices changing as your speeds increase or decrease.
Cost of transportation in Nashville
Credits: iStock.com/csfotoimages
When living in Nashville you’ll have the option to utilize public transportation to access point of interest throughout the city. The public transportation system in Nashville is WeGo Public Transit. The system features more than 50 bus routes that can take passengers throughout the city. A one-way ticket will cost $2.00, all day passes are $4.00, and a monthly pass will cost you $65.00.
Public transportation is available and is easy to access in the downtown area. However, if you live in a suburb or have to travel long distances for work or school, it’s probably best to own your own vehicle. With tourism and the population expanding, you can expect a little bit of traffic. The increase in traffic is another top reason to have your own vehicle. If you plan on owning a car in Nashville, you’ll want to factor in car insurance and gas prices into your monthly budget. The current price of gas in Nashville is $4.06/gallon as of March 2022. The annual premium for car insurance in Nashville is $1,345.
Cost of food in Nashville
Nashville is known for its amazing food scene, especially the barbecue and hot chicken. When living in Nashville, you’ll want to budget for the best meals. An average meal at an inexpensive restaurant will cost around $15. A meal for two at a mid-rage restaurant will average around $65. Nashville residents spend on average around $3,000 per month on both groceries and dining out. For some of the best Nashville eats, we recommend checking out Shotgun Willie’s BBQ where you’ll be able to sample the best Nashville barbecue.
Cost of entertainment in Nashville
Credits: iStock.com/benedek
You won’t be short of things to do when living in Nashville. As one of the most well known live music capitols in the country, you’ll have a wide range of entertainment to choose from. Many bars throughout Downtown Nashville showcase free live music during the evenings, but you can also experience top headliners at music venues including The Grand Ole Opry. The average cost of a concert ticket in Nashville is $135, but will vary depending on popularity and venue. Interested in taking in a Nashville sporting event? Tickets to the Tennessee Titans football games at Nissan Stadium average $100, and tickets to the Nashville Predators hockey games at Bridgestone Arena average $45.
Other popular Nashville entertainment options and pricing
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – $27.95 per adult, $17.95 per youthThe Johnny Cash Museum – $22.95 per adult, $18.95 per youthRCA Studio B – $47.95 per adult, $37.95 per youthNashville Zoo – $16-25 varying by day, youth under 2 are free
Healthcare costs in Nashville
Healthcare insurance costs in the Nashville area are lower than the national average, and so is veterinarian care. The average annual healthcare premium for single individuals in Nashville is $1,230 in an employee sponsored plan. If you do not receive healthcare through your employer, Tennessee has heath care programs available to residents that be accessed through the Tenessee Department of Health portal.
If you’re a fan of live music, delicious food, and an opportunity for adventure, Nashville is a great place to live. The affordable housing market and ample job opportunities make this city a top area for those looking for a new area to live. Before making your move to Nashville, consider all aspects of the cost of living to determine your budget and then find the perfect apartment in The Music City.
The post Cost of Living in Nashville appeared first on The Zumper Blog.
Cost of Living, Nashville