What salary do you need to live in Nashville, TN?
For a single person: about $64,500/year before taxes to live comfortably. That's the gross income whose TN-taxed take-home covers roughly $1,590 rent plus everyday essentials, with a 20% cushion for savings. Figures include 2025 federal tax, FICA, and no state income tax (Tennessee doesn't have one).
Single person — est. essentials $3,732/mo
Tight
take-home covers $3,732/mo
$53,000/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $4,478/mo
$64,500/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $5,598/mo
$83,500/yr
2-person household — est. essentials $5,039/mo
Tight
take-home covers $5,039/mo
$70,000/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $6,047/mo
$85,000/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $7,559/mo
$108,000/yr
3-person household — est. essentials $6,085/mo
Tight
take-home covers $6,085/mo
$86,000/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $7,302/mo
$104,000/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $9,128/mo
$132,000/yr
4-person household — est. essentials $7,004/mo
Tight
take-home covers $7,004/mo
$99,500/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $8,405/mo
$120,500/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $10,506/mo
$155,500/yr
How we calculate this
Essentials = typical rent ($1,590) + a national non-housing baseline by household size ($2,450 for one person) + Tennessee's combined sales tax on the taxable share of that spending. We then solve for the gross salary whose after-tax take-home hits each tier. Local income taxes and property taxes aren't modeled — see the methodology.
Planning a move here?
Get notified when Nashville gets more affordable, plus relocation tips.
Unsubscribe anytime