Salary Needed to Live in Nashville as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $60,646/year to live comfortably in Nashville, TN, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $60,646/year to live comfortably in Nashville, TN. The bare-minimum salary is $52,560/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,706.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,285/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,054/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$60,646
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$52,560
$4,380/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,285
8% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Nashville
| Expense | Nashville | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $1,107 | $1,351 | -18% |
| Groceries | $210 | $207 | +1% |
| Utilities | $172 | $169 | +2% |
| Transportation | $291 | $316 | -8% |
| Car Insurance | $203 | $223 | -9% |
| Health Insurance | $631 | $672 | -6% |
| Internet | $68 | $65 | +5% |
| Phone | $88 | $85 | +4% |
| Dining & Social | $312 | $300 | +4% |
| Entertainment | $125 | $120 | +4% |
| Personal Care | $78 | $75 | +4% |
| Total Monthly | $3,285 | $3,583 | -8% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,285
Target savings (10%):$421/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,706
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$60,646
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,107
Studio/1BR rent is 34% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus TN state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$421/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
104/100
Nashville is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby south Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $1,107/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $671/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $52,560/year as the survival floor and $60,646/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Nashville
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Nashville?
A single person needs approximately $60,646/year ($5,054/month gross) to live comfortably in Nashville with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Nashville?
A studio/1br in Nashville costs approximately $1,107/month, which is the largest single expense at 34% of the total budget.
Is Nashville affordable for a single person?
Yes, Nashville is 8% more affordable than the national average for a single person.