Deciding to relocate to Nashville should not be taken lightly or done without the necessary research. Life in the ‘Music City’ has its advantages and its drawbacks, so weigh them up carefully before you make your move.
Here is our breakdown of the main pros and cons of living in Nashville.
Accommodation in Nashville
+ PRO: Housing choices galore
Newcomers house hunting in Nashville will be spoiled for choice. Whether they have their heart set on a classic Victorian-style cottage or a modern minimalist home, there is no shortage of options. Most new arrivals also find solid value for money here, whether they rent or buy.
- CON: The better living options aren’t necessarily close to the city centre
New arrivals who are accustomed to inner-city living may find their housing choices somewhat limited. Those willing to live further afield gain access to more spacious homes and a better quality of life, and many people move here for exactly that trade-off.
Working in Nashville
+ PRO: Economic growth and plenty of job opportunities
Nashville’s economy is growing steadily, job opportunities are plentiful, and unemployment in the city is low. People with skills and experience in the health sector, technology, the music industry, and tourism will find many exciting job prospects here. Entrepreneurs looking to launch their own start-ups also do well here. Thousands of young professionals who see scope for career progression in the city make the move each year.
- CON: Top salaries are still behind the biggest markets
There are plenty of jobs available in Nashville, and the scope for career progression is strong. Pay for senior and specialist roles, though, is often higher in the country’s largest markets, such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Ambitious high earners may find Nashville’s ceiling lower than they hoped.
Finding a Job and Working in Nashville
Healthcare in Nashville
+ PRO: Nashville is the healthcare hub of the South
Healthcare in Nashville is one of the city’s strong suits, and new residents benefit from access to some brilliant medical facilities. Nashville is, after all, the healthcare hub of the South. The city’s major hospitals employ top medical professionals, and the standard of care is excellent.
- CON: Good healthcare doesn’t come cheap
As is the case throughout the US, healthcare in Nashville isn’t cheap. Medical expenses here are slightly lower than the national average, but anyone who wants the best private care should take out fully comprehensive medical insurance.
Healthcare and Hospitals in Nashville
Education and schools in Nashville
+ PRO: The best public schools are excellent
Many Nashville communities place a strong emphasis on education. The city’s top public schools, particularly its academic magnet schools, are among the strongest in Tennessee. The district as a whole has been improving quickly: it recently posted its highest graduation rate on record, and it is among the leading large urban districts in the country for gains in reading and maths.
- CON: Private schools in Nashville are expensive
Private schooling in Nashville is still expensive, even though tuition here is often comparable to or lower than the US average. Southern states are generally at the cheaper end of the private tuition scale. The national average is inflated by a handful of elite private schools in high-cost coastal cities, where fees are far steeper. In addition to tuition, families should budget for uniforms, extracurricular costs, stationery, and field trips.
Education and Schools in Nashville
Lifestyle in Nashville
+ PRO: The music scene and nightlife are legendary
The range of live music here is remarkable, and you would struggle to find a deeper scene anywhere else in the US. Whether residents want to catch a favourite international act on tour or sample the best local talent at a humble honky-tonk, live music is never in short supply. It’s a fun place to be, and people travel from all over the country to soak up the city’s legendary nightlife.
- CON: Tourists can be annoying
Tourism is a major source of income for a city like Nashville, but residents can quickly tire of the constant crowds. You might have to battle to get into a favourite bar, book weeks ahead at a once quiet, family-run restaurant now overrun by out-of-town visitors, fight through the weekend crowds that come for music events, or give up on finding parking near a busy venue. For locals, it can all get a bit much.
- CON: Religion is hard to avoid
Nashville is, after all, the ‘buckle’ of the US Bible Belt. Newcomers who arrive from more diverse or secular places may find it difficult to adjust. It is not unusual for someone to casually ask which church you attend. Churches are a common sight, and you’ll rarely walk far without passing one. Other faiths are growing, although their followers can still encounter some resistance.
- CON: Conservative state politics
Tennessee is firmly conservative at the state level, and newcomers from more liberal parts of the country often say this takes some getting used to. On social issues, state lawmakers take a different line from their counterparts in coastal cities, so read up on where Tennessee stands before you move.
Weather in Nashville
+ PRO: Mild winters
The weather in Nashville is easy to live with for much of the year, and winters here are mild. The temperature drops, sure, but rarely to the point of real discomfort for locals.
- CON: Humidity levels soar in the summer
Summers in Nashville are exceptionally warm, as in the rest of the American South, and they can be quite uncomfortable. Average summer highs are around 90°F (32°C), and residents also have to contend with high humidity. Severe storms are fairly common as well, so newcomers should keep an eye on the forecast.
- CON: Spring is an issue for those with allergies
Spring can be tough for anyone prone to allergies. Pollen levels are high in Nashville starting in early spring, and plenty of residents report bad seasonal symptoms, even among people who never had allergies before they moved. You can limit the misery by spending less time outdoors at peak times and keeping allergy medication and tissues to hand.
Getting around in Nashville
- CON: Public transport is limited, but is improving
Nashville’s public transport is still limited, and the bus service can be unreliable and patchy. The picture is changing, though. In late 2024, Nashville voters approved a major, funded transit plan called Choose How You Move. The city has already put new buses on the road, improved service frequency, extended evening and Sunday hours, and begun upgrading traffic signals. Dedicated bus rapid transit lanes and miles of new sidewalks are still to come. It will be years before the full plan is finished, so for now, most new residents still need to bite the bullet and get behind the wheel.
+ PRO: Easy to drive, and well connected by air
Once you have a car, getting around Nashville is straightforward, and the roads are generally well maintained. The city’s airport has expanded fast, and there are now direct flights to a growing list of destinations. That connectivity is a real plus for anyone who travels often for work.
- CON: Traffic is a nightmare
New Nashville residents should budget extra time for the severe traffic across the metro area. You can dodge the worst of it by avoiding rush hour, but this fast-growing city is full of construction and roadworks, so journey times can be hard to predict.
Public Transport and Driving in Nashville
Cost of living in Nashville
+ PRO: More affordable than the big coastal cities
The cost of living in Nashville is close to the national average, and it is far cheaper than in expensive coastal cities such as New York or Los Angeles. For anyone planning to settle here long term, getting onto the property ladder is more realistic than in those pricier markets, even though prices have been climbing.
- CON: The cost of living is rising
Housing and everyday costs are still reasonable by big city standards, but they have been rising steadily as more and more people move to the city. Nashville’s affordability edge is narrower than it once was, so budget for further increases.
Tax in Nashville
+ PRO: No state income tax
Tennessee is one of a handful of US states with no state income tax, and that is a real draw for high earners. Residents keep more of what they earn, and newcomers weighing up the move mention this perk again and again.