How Nashville take-home pay works
Your Nashville take-home pay is your gross salary minus federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). The calculator subtracts each in order and divides by your pay frequency to show net pay per paycheck.
Take-home = Gross − Federal − FICA (7.65%)
Population: 721,074 city / 2,197,416 metro (Census estimates for July 2025). Nashville is one of the largest US cities and has unique tax rules described below.
Tennessee state income tax
Tennessee has no state income tax, one of nine US states with no personal income tax.
For full Tennessee state tax details, deductions, and exemptions, see the Tennessee Paycheck Calculator.
Take-home pay at common Nashville salaries
Estimated annual net pay for a single filer in Nashville, including federal + state taxes and FICA. Use the calculator above for personalized figures.
| Gross | Annual Net | Bi-weekly | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loading… | |||
Income vs cost of living in Nashville
Understanding your paycheck in Nashville means looking beyond the gross number, the cost of living here directly determines what your take-home pay actually buys.
| Median household income | $80,090/year |
| Median earnings, people with earnings | $50,164/year |
| Price level, metro area (BEA 2024) | 96.3 (U.S. = 100) |
| Median rent, 1 bedroom | $1,470/month |
| Median rent, 2 bedrooms | $1,671/month |
Income and rent: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates for the city of Nashville. Rent is median gross rent, rent plus utilities, across all renters, long-standing and rent-regulated leases included, so a new lease usually costs more. Price level: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities for the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area.
Tax highlight
Nashville's no-income-tax advantage has attracted major corporate relocations from high-tax states, AllianceBernstein moved a large operation from New York, Oracle established a significant presence, and Amazon built a major operations hub. A finance professional filing single on $120,000 in Nashville keeps about $10,808 a year more than on the same salary in New York City, after state + city taxes.
Nashville local economy & job market
Nashville's economy combines healthcare, music/entertainment, finance, and technology in a unique mix. HCA Healthcare, a national hospital operator, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center are both major employers. The healthcare cluster is so concentrated Nashville is sometimes called 'Health Care Capital of America.' Country music and broader entertainment anchor a major industry: labels (Sony, Universal, Warner, BMG), recording studios, concert venues, and tourism centered on Lower Broadway. Finance has grown explosively, AllianceBernstein announced in 2018 that it would move a large operation from New York to Nashville, bringing high-paid finance jobs. Amazon announced an Operations Center of Excellence in Nashville in 2018, and Oracle has announced a large campus on the East Bank. The metro area's population grew 9% from April 2020 to July 2025 (Census estimates), faster than most large metros. The growth has cooled but the long-term trajectory remains strongly positive.
Top employers & industries in Nashville
Major employers
- HCA Healthcare
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Amazon (regional hub)
- AllianceBernstein
- Dollar General
Key industries
- Healthcare
- Music & Entertainment
- Finance & Insurance
- Technology
What jobs pay in the Nashville area
Annual wages across the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). Half of the workers in each job earn between the two figures in the middle column. Bonuses paid as wages are included; stock awards and self-employment are not.
| Occupation | Middle half earns | Median |
|---|---|---|
| All occupations | $37,630 – $77,810 | $50,390 |
| Registered Nurses | $81,630 – $103,550 | $84,040 |
| Software Developers | $99,030 – $140,170 | $126,610 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $65,300 – $97,420 | $78,080 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $53,580 – $74,380 | $61,460 |
| Electricians | $52,200 – $78,940 | $63,340 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,950 – $77,150 | $60,630 |
| Retail Salespersons | $29,120 – $37,880 | $34,420 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $85,630 – $162,160 | $116,480 |
| Producers and Directors | $57,030 – $104,540 | $79,590 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the whole metro area. Use the calculator above for take-home pay at any of these salaries.
Nashville housing market
Nashville's housing market is the poster child for Sun Belt boom-bust cycles. FHFA's house price index for the Nashville metro area rose 75% from 2019 to 2026, and the median value of owner-occupied homes in the city was $438,800 in 2024, as owners estimate it (Census Bureau). Williamson County (Franklin, Brentwood, Nolensville) is the wealthy southern suburb cluster, with home values well above the city median and the state's top-rated schools. East Nashville has gentrified rapidly, and once-affordable bungalows now cost well above the city median. Rural-edge counties (Wilson, Rutherford, Sumner) offer more affordable family options. New construction is heavy in Murfreesboro, Spring Hill, and Smyrna. Property taxes are moderate: the median property tax bill is $2,471, about 0.6% of the median home value, against 1.3% for Texas (Census Bureau, 2024), partially offsetting Tennessee's high sales tax. Tornado risk is real (Middle Tennessee tornado alley). Flooding (riverside areas) and karst-related sinkholes are localized concerns. Price growth has cooled since 2022, restoring some buyer leverage: FHFA's index for the metro rose 12% from 2022 to 2026, and the city's rental vacancy rate was 10.3% in 2024 (Census).
Commute & transportation in Nashville
Nashville is car-dependent with limited public transit. WeGo Public Transit runs the bus network and the WeGo Star commuter train between Lebanon and downtown Nashville. Major highways (I-65, I-24, I-440) see heavy congestion, especially on the 'spaghetti junction' interchange. The mean one-way commute was 25 minutes in 2024 (Census, workers who don't work from home). The metro has grown so fast that infrastructure has lagged behind population. Lyft and ride-share are popular downtown.
Notable neighborhoods in Nashville
Nashville tax nuances you should know
Tennessee has no state income tax, including no tax on wages, capital gains, or retirement distributions. The Hall Income Tax (formerly on dividends/interest) was fully repealed January 1, 2021, making Tennessee fully income-tax-free. Nashville/Davidson County combined sales tax is 9.25% (7% state + 2.25% local), among the highest in the US. Tennessee taxes groceries at a reduced 4% state rate (vs 7% general) but Davidson County still adds local tax to groceries. Property tax is relatively low: the median property tax bill is about 0.6% of the median home value (Census Bureau, 2024). For high-income relocators, a single filer earning $200,000 keeps about $16,955 a year more in Nashville than in California and about $19,057 more than in New York City. Self-employed musicians, artists, and entertainment workers benefit from no state income tax on their highly variable income. Tennessee has no state estate tax (federal estate tax still applies above $15M).
Nashville paycheck & tax tips
- Maximize pre-tax deductions: 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026), HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family), FSA ($3,400) and commuter benefits (up to $340/month) all reduce your taxable income before federal income tax is calculated.
- Check your W-4 withholding: After major life changes (marriage, a new dependent, second job), update your W-4 to avoid owing a large tax bill or over-withholding. Use our W-4 Calculator to find the right allowances.
- Pay frequency matters: Bi-weekly earners get 26 paychecks per year (2 months with 3 paychecks). Budget based on monthly income, not per-paycheck amount, to avoid surprises in 3-paycheck months.
- Track FICA limits: Social Security (6.2%) only applies to the first $184,500 of wages in 2026. Once you cross that threshold, your paycheck increases by roughly 6.2% for the rest of the year, plan ahead if you depend on that boost.
- Self-employed in Nashville? You owe the full 15.3% self-employment tax (employee + employer FICA portions) instead of 7.65%. The calculator above shows employee-side FICA, self-employed workers should add the employer half when budgeting.
Who should move to Nashville?
Nashville is ideal for: healthcare professionals at HCA, Vanderbilt, or one of dozens of other hospital systems; finance professionals attracted to AllianceBernstein, Oracle (when complete), and Amazon's expanding presence; musicians, songwriters, producers, music industry professionals; high-income remote workers seeking a vibrant mid-cost city with no state tax; families seeking top schools (Williamson County). Less ideal for: those who dislike heat and humidity (Nashville summers are oppressive); buyers who can't tolerate the rapid housing inflation that's mostly priced in; or those needing extensive public transit. Use the calculator above to estimate your Nashville take-home before relocating.
Nashville paycheck frequently asked questions
How much take-home pay does a $90,000 salary provide in Nashville?
A single filer earning $90,000 in Nashville takes home about $72,145 per year after federal income tax and FICA. Tennessee has no state income tax, so all deductions are federal. Bi-weekly take-home is about $2,775. A married couple filing jointly on the same $90,000 keeps about $4,530 more per year.
Why are so many finance companies moving to Nashville?
Tennessee's zero income tax, lower real estate costs than NYC or Chicago, and strong quality of life have drawn major relocations. AllianceBernstein announced in 2018 that it would move a large operation here from New York, bringing high-paying finance jobs. Oracle, Amazon, and various healthcare-focused tech companies have followed. Nashville's finance employment base has grown with them.
What is the cost of living in Nashville vs other no-tax cities?
Nashville is pricier than Memphis but still below the national level: BEA's 2024 price level is 96.3 for the Nashville metro area against 92.2 for Memphis (U.S. = 100). FHFA's house price index for the Nashville metro area rose 75% from 2019 to 2026. Median gross rent for a one-bedroom (rent plus utilities, Census ACS 2024) is $1,470 a month in Nashville, against $1,105 in Memphis and $1,201 in San Antonio. However, the no-tax advantage still makes Nashville financially competitive vs coastal metros.