How Much to Retire in Nashville, TN (2026)
Cost-of-living index 112 (US avg = 100). Comfortable retirement costs ~$58,240/yr · Nest egg target ~$1.5M.
Retirement spending tiers
National baselines adjusted for Nashville's COL index (112 vs 100 US average). Nest egg uses the 4% safe withdrawal rule (annual × 25).
Small apartment, cook at home, public transit, minimal travel
1BR apartment, dining out occasionally, one modest vacation/year
2BR home, regular dining out, two vacations/year, newer car
Owned home, frequent travel, generous entertainment budget
Upscale home, luxury travel, golf/clubs, full-time help
Monthly budget breakdown by tier
Estimated monthly allocation across spending categories
| Category | Modest | Comfortable | Premium | Affluent | Luxurious |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $986 | $1,601 | $2,310 | $3,388 | $5,390 |
| Food | $448 | $728 | $1,050 | $1,540 | $2,450 |
| Healthcare | $418 | $679 | $980 | $1,437 | $2,287 |
| Transport | $358 | $582 | $840 | $1,232 | $1,960 |
| Leisure | $418 | $679 | $980 | $1,437 | $2,287 |
| Misc | $358 | $582 | $840 | $1,232 | $1,960 |
| Total / month | $2,987 | $4,853 | $7,000 | $10,267 | $16,333 |
Nest egg targets
How much you need saved to fund each lifestyle, using the 4% safe withdrawal rule
| Tier | Annual spend | Monthly spend | Nest egg (4% rule) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modest | $35,840 | $2,987 | $896K |
| Comfortable | $58,240 | $4,853 | $1.5M |
| Premium | $84,000 | $7,000 | $2.1M |
| Affluent | $123,200 | $10,267 | $3.1M |
| Luxurious | $196,000 | $16,333 | $4.9M |
Nashville retirement context
TN has no state income tax — retirement income (Social Security, withdrawals) is not taxed at the state level.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do you need to retire in Nashville?
For a comfortable retirement in Nashville, plan on roughly $58,240/year ($4,853/month). That requires a nest egg of about $1.5M using the 4% safe withdrawal rule. A modest lifestyle costs ~$35,840/year, while a premium lifestyle runs ~$84,000/year.
Is Nashville a good place to retire?
Nashville has an above-average cost of living (index 112 vs 100 national average). Retiring here requires a larger nest egg, but many choose it for its amenities, climate, or proximity to family.
How is the retirement cost calculated for Nashville?
Each tier starts from a US national baseline and is scaled by Nashville's cost-of-living index (112 vs 100 US average). Nest egg targets use the 4% safe withdrawal rule (annual spend × 25). The budget allocation assumes roughly 33% housing, 15% food, 14% healthcare, 12% transport, 14% leisure, and 12% miscellaneous.
Deep-dive by tier
Spending estimates adjusted by BLS cost-of-living data · 4% safe withdrawal rule (Bengen 1994) · 2026 estimates · For general guidance only