🎸 Why Everyone’s Moving to Nashville

Rachel Harper
Jul 29
3 min read

People are leaving high-priced cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Chicago for places like Nashville and here's why:

Lower cost of living (especially housing)
No state income tax
Booming job market (healthcare, tech, music, logistics)
Access to nature without losing the city vibe
Southern hospitality with modern convenience

And yes… you’ll hear live music at the airport. It’s not a myth.

🏙️ The Vibe: Is Nashville a Good Place to Live?

Yes — but it depends on what you’re looking for.

✅ Nashville is for you if:

You want big-city energy without big-city chaos
You like seasons, but don’t want brutal winters
You’re cool with diverse neighborhoods, from historic homes to shiny new builds
You want community without sacrificing nightlife

❌ Nashville might not be for you if:

You hate humidity (July… we’re looking at you)
You want walkability in every neighborhood
You expect an ocean view (Nashville's great, but it’s not magic)

💵 Cost of Living: What Does It Cost to Live in Nashville?

Let’s talk numbers.

Category	Nashville Avg.	Compare to LA / NYC
Home Price	~$475,000 (2025)	$850,000+ in CA/NYC
Rent (2BR)	~$2,000/mo	$3,500+ in coastal cities
Gas	~$3.20/gal	$4.50–$5.00+ in CA
Groceries	~10–15% cheaper
State Income Tax	0%	9–13% in CA, NY

You can get more for your money here — but prices have risen in recent years, so buying smart

still matters.

🏡 Where Should You Live in Nashville?

That depends on your vibe.

🔹 Franklin – Charming, upscale, great schools

➡️ Perfect for families or those relocating from coastal suburbs

🔹 Mount Juliet – Affordable, newer homes, great for commuters

➡️ Popular with first-time buyers and growing families

🔹 Hendersonville – Lake life, suburban feel

➡️ Laid back, scenic, solid schools

🔹 East Nashville – Artsy, edgy, walkable

➡️ Best for creatives, foodies, and people who like character over cookie-cutter

💬 Coming soon: We’re doing a full breakdown of these areas in the next few blogs in this series — stay tuned!

🚗 What’s the Commute Like?

Let’s be honest — traffic exists, but it's not LA or Atlanta.

Rush hour is mostly a 7:00–9:00am and 4:00–6:00pm thing
I-24 and I-65 can get bottlenecked, but most suburbs have alternate routes
People here will let you merge. It’s still the South.

🌦️ Weather & Seasons

You’ll get all four seasons here — and yes, it's humid in the summer.

Spring: Gorgeous (allergies might say otherwise)
Summer: Hot + humid
Fall: Instagram-worthy leaves
Winter: Cold-ish, maybe one snow day a year

Bonus: You don’t need chains on your tires or earthquake insurance.

🏫 What About Schools?

Middle Tennessee has some top-rated school districts, especially in:

Williamson County (Franklin, Brentwood)
Wilson County (Mount Juliet)
Sumner County (Hendersonville, Gallatin)

If schools are important to you, we can help narrow your search based on your preferences — just ask.

📦 Final Thoughts: Should You Move to Nashville?

Moving is a big decision — and Nashville isn’t perfect for everyone. But if you’re looking for more space, a lower cost of living, and a lifestyle that mixes southern charm with urban energy, it might just be your next chapter.