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City Report · NC

Nashville

Pop. 5,729·117th most expensive in North Carolina·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,260/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-6.5%
vs US Median
-$705
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Nashville · $1,260
More affordable than 90% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,260/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$50,000/yr
Local median income
$61,000/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Nashville's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$870
1 BR
$870
2 BR
$1,090
3 BR
$1,490
4 BR+
$1,720
Research median
$1,090/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$15,120/yr
At $1,260/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -6.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Nashville, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 16.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
5,729
Median income
$61,000
Median age
40.7
Renters
48%
Age distribution
22.4%
20.1%
21.6%
14.1%
21.8%
Under 1822.4%
18–3420.1%
35–5421.6%
55–6414.1%
65+21.8%
Gender
41.1%
58.9%
Male41.1%
Female58.9%
Race & ethnicity
38.2%
59.9%
White38.2%
Black59.9%
Asian0.5%
Other1.3%
Education (25+)
12.8%
35.3%
35.5%
16.3%
No HS diploma12.8%
HS diploma35.3%
Some college35.5%
Bachelor's+16.3%
Housing tenure
52%
48%
Owner52%
Renter48%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Nashville, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$56,359 → $61,000
up 8.2%
Population
5,626 → 5,729
up 1.8%
Renter share
40.8% → 48%
+7.2 pts
Bachelor's+
28.7% → 16.3%
-12.4 pts
Median age
39.4 → 40.7
+1.3 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $61,000 today, compared with $56,359 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 5,626 to 5,729 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.8% change. About 48% of households rent today, against 40.8% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 28.7% to 16.3%.

Community

Discussions about Nashville

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View Nashville rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Nashville on your salary?

At $1,260/mo, how Nashville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Nashville rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Nashville. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Nashville

About renting in Nashville, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Nashville is $1,260/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $870/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,090/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $870/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,490/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($61,000/yr), Nashville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Nashville an affordable city for renters?

Nashville is considered affordable for renters. At $1,260/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($61,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Nashville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Nashville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $50,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,260/mo in Nashville. The local median household income is $61,000/yr, meaning the typical Nashville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Nashville?

Rent in Nashville has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Nashville rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Nashville is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #117 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,260/mo.

What percentage of Nashville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 48% of Nashville households are renters, while 52% are owner-occupied. Nashville leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Nashville rent compare to the national average?

Nashville's median rent of $1,260/mo is $705 (36%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #117 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,260/mo, rent takes ~25% of Nashville's median household income ($61,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Nashville 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Nashville affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Nashville
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Nashville, NC

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