What It's Like to Live and Work in Nashville

Music city with booming growth and no income tax

Data: 2026-Q2 · BLS · HUD · KFF

Nashville has experienced dramatic population and economic growth over the past decade. Its healthcare and music industries anchor a diversifying economy. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages.

1BR Rent (HUD FY2026)
$1,578/mo
2BR Rent (HUD FY2026)
$1,730/mo
Median Wage (BLS)
$50,390
State Tax
No income tax

Your breathing room in Nashville

Pick an income band to see how the picture shifts.

TightGetting ByComfortableSpacious

At $60-80k (renting alone) in Nashville, your breathing room reads as comfortable.

~$4,803/mo take-home
Comfortable
$60-80k · Nashville
Income Reality Check

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The Bottom Line for 60-80k in Nashville

MAYBEThe median 1BR apartment is affordable but tight — roughly 30-40% of take-home.
MAYBESome savings are possible with discipline — but not easily.
NOYour income is below the local median household income of $71,997.
You have real flexibility and savings potential.

Your Income Reality Score

Financial Flexibility
High
Savings Potential
Building
Est. Monthly After Housing
approx $3,225/mo

Purchasing Power Reality

What your salary feels like in other cities

Your 60-80k in Nashville feels like approximately $69,290 in Austin — your purchasing power decreases by 1%
Your 60-80k in Nashville feels like approximately $78,604 in Atlanta — your purchasing power increases by 12%
Your 60-80k in Nashville feels like approximately $71,895 in Charlotte — your purchasing power increases by 3%

Curious what a raise — or a different path — would change?

THEN — $60-80k
NOW — $60-80k
~$4,803/mo take-home

At $60-80k in Nashville, your picture shifts from comfortable toward comfortable.

Lifestyle Signals — $60-80K in Nashville

Commute Burden
High
Social Access
Moderate
Wellness Margin
High
Flex Signal
Moderate

Lifestyle signals are qualitative — not a personal lifestyle assessment. Source: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.

Housing

Neighborhood variety: HUD FY2026 FMRs for the Nashville-Davidson HMFA: 1BR $1,578 / 2BR $1,730. Nashville's FMRs have risen significantly from earlier levels as population growth accelerated. Source: HUD FY2026 FMR Schedule.

Rent trend: Nashville experienced rapid rent growth and has seen some moderation. Source: HUD.

Ownership access: Median home values in Nashville have risen dramatically. First-time buyer access has become more constrained. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024.

Source: HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Career context

Nashville's economy centers on healthcare (HCA Healthcare, Vanderbilt UMC), music industry, tourism, and a growing technology sector. BLS 2025 data shows all-occupation median wages of $50,390 and computer/math at $94,650. Source: BLS OES 2025.

Nashville is a car-dependent metro (Walk Score 29). Budget for car ownership — AAA estimates the average new car costs $11,577/year to own and operate.

TN has no state income tax — a meaningful boost to take-home pay at every income level. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages or salaries. Source: Tax Foundation 2025.

Often compared with

Nashville vs AustinNashville vs AtlantaNashville vs Charlotte
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FAQ

FAQ — Living in Nashville

Is Nashville still affordable?

Nashville's HUD FY2026 2BR FMR of $1,730 remains lower than most coastal metros, but rapid growth has compressed the affordability edge vs. 2018–2019. Source: HUD FY2026.

Income Reality Check is an educational tool, not financial advice. Your situation has more dimensions than any tool can capture.