Average Rent in Nashville 2026
Nashville Rent Prices by Bedroom
1 Bedroom
$1,600
per month
2 Bedrooms
$1,900
per month
3 Bedrooms
$2,400
per month
Monthly Housing Cost Breakdown in Nashville
Rent is only part of your monthly housing cost. Here is what the average Nashville renter pays when you add utilities, internet, and renters insurance to rent.
| Expense | 1-Bedroom | 2-Bedroom | 3-Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,600 | $1,900 | $2,400 |
| Utilities (electric, gas, water, trash) | $105 | $130 | $160 |
| Internet | $70 | $70 | $70 |
| Renters insurance | $16 | $19 | $22 |
| Total monthly | $1,791 | $2,119 | $2,652 |
Utility estimates scale with Nashville’s cost of living index (108). Your actual bill depends on unit size, climate, and individual usage.
Cost of Living in Nashville
108
Cost of Living Index (100 = national average)
Nashville's cost of living index is 108, which is 8% above the national average. This index factors in housing, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. A higher number means you need more income to maintain the same standard of living compared to the national average.
Nashville at a Glance
Population
684K
Median Income
$65,883
COL Index
108
Rent Control
No
How Much Income Do You Need to Rent in Nashville?
The widely accepted guideline is to spend no more than 30% of your gross income on rent. Here is the minimum annual income you need to afford an apartment in Nashville by bedroom count.
| Apartment | Monthly Rent | Min Annual Income | Min Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bedroom | $1,600/mo | $64,000 | $30.77/hr |
| 2-Bedroom | $1,900/mo | $76,000 | $36.54/hr |
| 3-Bedroom | $2,400/mo | $96,000 | $46.15/hr |
Based on the 30% rule and a 2,080-hour work year. Many landlords also require gross income of 2.5x to 3x the monthly rent or a guarantor who earns 80x rent annually.
What Rent Can You Afford in Nashville at Your Income?
Use this table to see the maximum monthly rent you can afford at different income levels, and which Nashville apartment sizes that fits.
| Annual Income | Gross Monthly | Max Rent (30%) | Fits in Nashville |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000/yr | $3,333 | $1,000 | Roommate required |
| $60,000/yr | $5,000 | $1,500 | Studio or roommate |
| $80,000/yr | $6,667 | $2,000 | 2-bedroom or smaller |
| $100,000/yr | $8,333 | $2,500 | 3-bedroom or smaller |
| $150,000/yr | $12,500 | $3,750 | 3-bedroom or smaller |
If your income puts a solo 1-bedroom out of reach, splitting a 2-bedroom with a roommate drops your share to $950 in Nashville — often the difference between affordable and not.
How Much You Save with a Roommate in Nashville
Save $650/month
by splitting a 2-bedroom with a roommate
Solo 1BR
$1,600
per month
Split 2BR
$950
per person/month
Annual Savings
$7,800
per year
Instead of paying $1,600 for a 1-bedroom on your own, splitting a 2-bedroom ($1,900) with one roommate brings your share to $950. That is $7,800 per year you could put toward savings, investments, or paying down debt. See the fair rent split calculator when rooms aren’t equal sizes.
Move-In Costs in Nashville
On top of your first month's rent, expect these upfront costs before the keys are in your hand. Plan for roughly 2-3 months of rent saved before signing a lease.
Security Deposit
$1,600–$3,200
1-2 months' rent, refundable
First Month
$1,600
Due at lease signing
Broker/App Fees
$50–$1,600
Varies by market and listing
Total upfront cash to sign a 1-bedroom lease in Nashville: $3,250–$6,400 depending on broker fees and deposit size.
Rent Control in Nashville
Nashville, TN does not currently have rent control or rent stabilization laws. Landlords can raise rent by any amount at lease renewal, though they are typically required to provide advance notice (usually 30-60 days). If you are concerned about rent increases, consider negotiating a longer lease term for price stability.
How Nashville Compares to Other US Cities
Nashville sits slightly above the US average on rent. Compare the 1-bedroom price with nearby tiers to see where you could move to spend less, or what to expect if you go pricier.
Cheaper than Nashville
See the full comparison across 50 US cities on the rent data hub or the cost of living comparison.
Rent Calculators for Nashville Renters
Use these free calculators to plan your Nashville rental budget, split rent with roommates, and check if you qualify for an apartment.
Rent Affordability Calculator
Find out how much rent you can afford based on your income.
Fair Rent Split Calculator
Split rent fairly by room size, features, and income.
Rent-to-Income Calculator
Check if you meet the 3x rent rule landlords require.
Renter Budget Calculator
Build a 50/30/20 budget around your rent payment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Nashville
Is Nashville expensive to rent in?
Nashville is moderately priced but rising. A 1-bedroom averages $1,600 per month in 2026, about 8% above the national average. Rents have climbed steadily with the city's growing population and economy. Tennessee has no state income tax.
How much income do you need to rent in Nashville?
Using the 30% rule, you need about $5,333 per month ($64,000 annually) to afford an average $1,600/month 1-bedroom apartment in Nashville.
How much can you save by splitting rent with a roommate in Nashville?
Splitting a 2-bedroom ($1,900/month) with one roommate brings your share to $950, saving $650 per month or $7,800 per year versus renting a 1-bedroom alone.
What utilities should you budget for in Nashville?
Renters in Nashville typically pay about $105 per month for utilities (electric, gas, water, trash) on a 1-bedroom apartment. Internet adds another $60-$80 per month, and renters insurance runs around $16 per month. Altogether, plan for roughly $191 on top of your $1,600 rent.
How much is a security deposit in Nashville?
Most Nashville landlords ask for a security deposit equal to 1 month's rent — about $1,600 for a 1-bedroom at the Nashville average. Some properties charge up to 2 months ($3,200), especially for tenants without local rental history or with lower credit scores. Pet deposits usually add another $250-$500 on top.
Is Nashville affordable on the median household income?
Yes. The median household income in Nashville is $65,883, which comes out to about $5,490 per month. At the average 1-bedroom rent of $1,600, that's roughly 29% of gross monthly income — within the 30% rule most budget guides recommend.
Explore the rest of the SplitGenius library
Five cornerstone guides plus six topic deep-dives cover every major splitting decision. Here’s where to go next.
Pillar Guide
The Complete Guide to Splitting Expenses Fairly
5 proven methods — equal, proportional, usage-based, income-based, and hybrid — with real examples and free calculators.
Topic Guide
The Roommate Money Guide: Avoiding Financial Conflict
Set up shared finances, split expenses fairly, and handle money disagreements without drama.
Pillar Guide
The Complete Guide to Fair Division
Estates, inheritances, divorce assets, and co-parenting costs — when the stakes are personal, the math matters.
Topic Guide
Understanding Your Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)
What DTI is, how lenders use it, and 7 proven strategies to lower yours.
Topic Guide
First Apartment Checklist: Everything You Need
Complete checklist for move-in costs, furniture, setup, and budgeting for your first place.
Pillar Guide
The Complete Guide to Ratio Calculations
Ratios, percentages, and fractions — how they connect and when to use each for any splitting decision.
Planning to rent in Nashville?