Average Rent in Nashville, TN↑ Rents rising 12.8% YoY🔺 Most expensive in TN

Nashville, TN has rental prices ranging from $1,589/month to $2,840/month in 2025, depending on unit size. The typical 1-bedroom apartment rents for $1,650/month — 18% above the national average of $1,400/month. With a median household income of $82,499/year, spending $1,650/month on a 1-bedroom represents 24% of gross income — within the recommended 30% threshold.

How Nashville Compares

With an average 2-bedroom rent of $1,827/month, Nashville ranks #1 most expensive of the 73 cities tracked in Tennessee — pricier than 96% of all US cities in our data.

The Nashville Rental Market

The Nashville, TN area has a population of about 2,043,713 and 34% of households renting rather than owning. That is close to the US average renter share of ~34%.

Rent Trends

2-bedroom rents in Nashville, TN have risen by $208/month (12.8%) over the past year, from $1,619 to $1,827. This rate of increase is significant and reflects strong rental demand and limited housing supply in the local market.

Affordability

To afford a 1-bedroom apartment in Nashville, TN without exceeding the 30% housing cost guideline, a renter needs an annual income of approximately $66,000. The local median household income of $82,499 exceeds that threshold by $16,499, making Nashville relatively accessible compared to local wages.

Rent vs. Buy

The median home value in Nashville, TN is $436,519, giving a price-to-rent ratio of 19.9. With a break-even horizon of approximately 20 years, renting is likely the more financially prudent option for most residents unless they plan to stay long-term.

Safety

Crime statistics for Nashville, TN show a violent crime rate of 646.3 per 100,000 residents (elevated) and a property crime rate of 2403.01 per 100,000 residents (moderate). As with any metro area, crime rates vary widely by neighborhood — prospective renters are encouraged to research specific areas within Nashville before signing a lease.

Neighborhoods

Home values — and by extension rent levels — vary significantly across Nashville's neighborhoods. Among the highest-value areas are Pagoda Condos ($124,275 median home value), Priest Lake Forest ($216,312 median home value), Creekside Meadows ($219,426 median home value). Rental prices typically follow home value patterns, with premium neighborhoods commanding higher rents than outer areas. Renters on a tighter budget may find better value in less central neighborhoods or in adjacent metros with lower overall rent levels.

Is Nashville, TN Affordable?

Income needed to rent or buy, price history, and how this city compares to nearby metros.

Rent or Buy in Nashville?

Break-even analysis and mortgage estimates based on local market data.

Living in Nashville

Cost of living, job market, crime rates, and moving cost estimates.