Nashville may be known as the capital of country music, but you don’t have to be a country fan to consider moving to the Nashville area. It has a much broader cultural scene, offering a lively downtown, historic landmarks, and easy access to outdoor activities. It also has a mostly pleasant climate, with mild winters.
Many people consider Nashville a good place to retire. Residents have access to some award-winning health care facilities. Also, there’s no state income tax or inheritance tax, and Southern hospitality is alive and well here.
Let’s look at the climate, cost of living, taxes, health care, and 55+ communities in the Nashville area.
Retiring in Nashville: Pros and Cons
Pros
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Favorable Weather – The Nashville climate is agreeable for much of the year, and winters are generally mild.
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Tax Friendly – Tennessee has no state income tax or inheritance tax.
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The Capital of Country Music – If you like country music, then there’s no better place to be.
Cons
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Hot Summers – The hot and humid summers are not to everyone’s liking.
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Cost of Living – The cost of living in Nashville is slightly above the national average.
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Housing Prices – House prices have jumped enormously in the last decade, though they’re now settling down.
Nashville Climate
Unlike Florida and Arizona where people retire for steady sunshine, Nashville has a four-season climate. You can expect hot and humid summers. While winters are mild compared to places further north, it can still get down to freezing. But heavy snowfall is rare.
Summers in Nashville see average highs of 89 degrees and lows of 71 degrees, while winter sees average lows of 32 degrees and an average of 1.7 inches of snow. The average temperature in April is around 61 degrees, with a range from an average low of 46 degrees to an average high of 76 degrees. You can expect similar ranges in the fall.
Because of the hot and humid climate, summer days often come with thunderstorms in the afternoons and evenings. In spring and fall, you’ll get occasional rain showers.
Popular outdoor activities for active adults in and around Nashville include boating, fishing, kayaking, and walking and biking along trails and greenways. Tennessee is also a great place to enjoy the fall colors.
Nashville Taxes
Tennessee does not tax wages or retirement income at the state level, including pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals, or Social Security benefits. This lack of a state income tax makes Tennessee especially attractive to retirees looking to reduce their overall tax burden.
The state sales tax rate is 7%, and when local taxes are added in Davidson County, the total rate typically ranges from about 9% to 9.75%. While sales taxes are relatively high compared to some states, certain groceries and food items may qualify for lower tax rates.
Tennessee also has no state estate or inheritance tax, which can make it easier to pass assets on to heirs without additional state-level tax concerns.
Nashville Health Care
Nashville is home to institutions such as TriStar Centennial Medical Center, Ascension St. Thomas Hospital, and the award-winning Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Vanderbilt also includes the Ingram Cancer Center for world-class cancer treatments and care.
55+ Communities in Nashville
Antioch
Franklin
Gallatin
- Lenox Place
- Nexus South
- The Cottages at Last Plantation
- The Cottages at Patterson Farms
- The Retreat at Fairvue
Goodlettsville
Hendersonville
Hermitage
Lebanon
Mount Juliet
Murfreesboro
Nashville
Nolensville
Smyrna
Spring Hill
55places Can Help You Retire in Nashville
Ready to take the leap and move to Nashville? 55places is ready to help! Whether you want to start touring or you need to ask a few more questions, 55places will connect you with a local real estate agent who specializes in 55+ communities. They’ll help you every step of the way and make sure your next move is your best one yet.
- Insights and market stats
- Instant new home alerts
- Answers from local 55+ experts
