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

As is usually the case, housing expenses are likely to account for the biggest part of a person’s 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. Those who wish to live close to downtown Nashville or near Music Row should expect to pay a premium.

For those looking to buy property, Nashville presents several great options. Even in terms of investment, real-estate experts see loads of potential in the city because of the influx of new arrivals looking for rental properties.

Cost of healthcare in Nashville

Healthcare is Nashville’s foremost income generator. In fact, the city is quite the medical hub for the South. Even though Nashville is home to a fair few excellent hospitals and healthcare costs are reported to be a few percent lower than the US average, to access the best medical facilities, we recommend that prospective Nashvillians get a comprehensive health insurance plan in place. There are plenty of health insurance schemes on offer, but we advise that new arrivals invest some time doing research 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, as this is sure to represent a significant saving in terms of a person’s monthly 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, whereas private schools set their own fees, which are generally high. These fees also increase as the child progresses through grades. In addition to school fees, parents will need to budget for additional expenses such as uniforms, textbooks, stationery, extracurricular activities and field trips. These costs can easily add up.

With the pressure to do well at school increasing within certain circles, parents may be inclined to provide extra support for their children in the form of a private tutor, either to help them in subjects they find challenging or give them the extra edge needed for university admissions tests. Thankfully, most tutoring services offer a range of options to suit different budgets.

Cost of transport in Nashville

Nashville is a pretty big city, so new arrivals are going to need to consider the cost of getting around when budgeting. While public transport in Nashville is affordable, for most people this isn’t a viable option. The system isn't as extensive as in some other US cities, and buses rarely arrive on time. For these reasons, most Nashvillians choose to 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 when one considers the amount of driving the average Nashvillian does.

Cost of entertainment and eating out

Lifestyle expenses in Nashville are determined by an individual’s priorities. 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 are also loads of things Nashvillians can do 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 having to pay for expensive gym memberships is to get out onto one of the hiking or biking trails at Radnor Lake State Park, which also provides the perfect opportunity to spend time with loved ones.

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.