Americans have made their choice clear: Nashville, Tennessee, is the country’s most beloved city. A new YouGov survey of 2,175 Americans found Nashville leading the pack with a +44 net favorability rating. That means way more people love Nashville than dislike it. San Diego; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Virginia Beach, Virginia, tied for second place with +39 ratings each.
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But before you start packing your bags for Music City retirement, let’s talk numbers. Popularity and affordability don’t always go hand in hand. Can you actually afford to retire in America’s favorite city?
The Good News About Nashville Costs
Here’s the surprising part: Nashville won’t break your retirement budget like some other popular cities might.
According to Payscale, Nashville’s cost of living runs 2% lower than the national average. Not too bad for a city everyone wants to live in.
Housing costs are only 1% higher than average, which is way better than cities like San Francisco or New York. According to Zillow, the average home value sits at $443,609, and you can rent for about $2,275 a month.
Utilities cost 3% less than average. Your energy bill will run around $201.80 monthly, and your phone bill about $190.21. Gas prices are 9% lower than the national average at $2.95 per gallon.
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Healthcare: A Retiree’s Best Friend
Here’s where Nashville really shines for retirees: Healthcare costs run 6% below the national average.
A doctor visit costs about $136.12, while a dentist visit runs $111.11. Need an eye exam? That’s $123.38. Prescription drugs average $19.45, and even vet visits for your pets cost just $68.36.
When you’re living on a fixed income, lower healthcare costs can make a huge difference in your monthly budget.
Grocery Bills Stay Normal
Food costs in Nashville match the national average exactly. A loaf of bread costs $3.93, milk runs $4.68 per gallon and eggs cost $3.55 per carton. A bunch of bananas will set you back 74 cents, and hamburger meat costs $5.65.
Nothing shocking there. You won’t save money on groceries, but you won’t get hit with big-city food prices either.
Why Everyone Loves Nashville
The YouGov survey shows Nashville’s appeal goes beyond costs. The city earned its top rating by attracting people across different backgrounds and political views.
Nashville scored +65 among people who have actually visited the city. That’s a strong sign that the city lives up to its reputation once you experience it firsthand.
The Competition
Nashville beat some pretty impressive cities for the top spot. Denver came in at +36; Charlotte, North Carolina, hit +37; and Raleigh, North Carolina, scored +35. San Antonio, Texas, rounded out the top favorites with +34.
At the bottom of the list? Detroit scored -17; with Oakland, California, at -7 and Bakersfield, California, at -5.
What This Means for Your Retirement
Nashville offers something rare: a city that people actually love that won’t destroy your retirement savings.
The 2% lower cost of living might not sound like much, but it adds up over time. Lower healthcare costs matter even more when you’re dealing with the medical needs that come with aging.
The city’s popularity also suggests good infrastructure, entertainment options and quality of life. Those factors matter when you’re choosing where to spend your golden years.
Just remember that popularity can drive up costs over time. Nashville’s current affordability might not last forever as more people discover what makes it America’s favorite city.
But for now, Music City offers a rare combination: a place Americans love that won’t break your retirement budget. Who’s packing?
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Can You Afford To Retire in America’s Favorite City?
