Cost of Living in Smyrna, TN
Updated November 2026 · Rutherford County · Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area · population 56,692
Prices in Smyrna are 4.5% below the US average (local index 95.5; the BEA index for the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is 96.3), with utilities the biggest saving at 72.0; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,598 a month and the median rent is $1,461.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Smyrna's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, unchanged.
Smyrna price index by category, US average = 100: All items 95.5, Housing (rents) 95.4, Goods 96.2, Utilities 72.0, Other services 95.1
It is the 8th most expensive of the 18 Tennessee cities in our data. Cheaper than 73% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.8 | 95.9 | 95.2 | 96.5 | 97.0 | 96.3 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Smyrna, TN
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,004 | $12,048 | 39% |
| Utilities | $224 | $2,688 | 9% |
| Food at home | $271 | $3,252 | 10% |
| Transportation | $605 | $7,260 | 23% |
| Health care | $334 | $4,008 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $160 | $1,920 | 6% |
| Total | $2,598 | $31,176 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Smyrna, TN
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,199 | $14,388 | 29% |
| Utilities | $353 | $4,236 | 8% |
| Food at home | $501 | $6,012 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,198 | $14,376 | 29% |
| Health care | $620 | $7,440 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $316 | $3,792 | 8% |
| Total | $4,187 | $50,244 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Smyrna, TN
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,517 | $18,204 | 29% |
| Utilities | $430 | $5,160 | 8% |
| Food at home | $715 | $8,580 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,595 | $19,140 | 30% |
| Health care | $578 | $6,936 | 11% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $408 | $4,896 | 8% |
| Total | $5,243 | $62,916 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Smyrna
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,153 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,142 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,364 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,726 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,370 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,461 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $1,284 |
| Median home value | $358,300 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,616/mo |
| Median household income | $81,926 |
| Rent as % of renter income Moderate | 29.7% |
| Home value ÷ household income Moderate | 4.4× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Tennessee
13.42¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +2.5% (from 13.09¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 1,186 kWh a month in Tennessee ≈ $161/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +45.0% (from $2.83) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Tennessee is covered by the Midwest (PADD 2) average.
Inflation in the South
Consumer prices in the South Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Smyrna are 4.5% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $62,800 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 95.5. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murfreesboro, TN | 10 mi | 95.8 | $2,750 | $1,481 |
| Franklin, TN | 19 mi | 101.0 | $3,317 | $1,923 |
| Nashville, TN | 20 mi | 97.0 | $2,869 | $1,586 |
| Hendersonville, TN | 24 mi | 97.8 | $2,832 | $1,653 |
| Spring Hill, TN | 27 mi | 100.1 | $2,905 | $1,844 |
| Clarksville, TN | 62 mi | 92.4 | $2,495 | $1,307 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandpoint, ID | 95.5 | $2,464 | $1,125 |
| Vineland, NJ | 95.5 | $2,537 | $1,233 |
| Bloomington, IN | 95.5 | $2,489 | $1,200 |
| Portsmouth, VA | 95.6 | $2,553 | $1,300 |
| Albuquerque, NM | 95.4 | $2,385 | $1,145 |
| Odessa, TX | 95.4 | $2,523 | $1,315 |
Compare Smyrna with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Smyrna, TN an expensive place to live?
Smyrna has a local cost of living index of 95.5, which is 4.5% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area (96.3) and adjusts housing to Smyrna's own rents. It is 3.6 points above the Tennessee average. It is the 8th most expensive of the 18 Tennessee cities in our data. Cheaper than 73% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Smyrna?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,598 for a single adult, $4,187 for a couple and $5,243 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $57,300 in Smyrna.
What is the average rent in Smyrna?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,461 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $1,142, 2 bedrooms $1,364, 3 bedrooms $1,726. The typical renter spends 29.7% of household income on rent (moderate).
How much does a house cost in Smyrna?
The median owner-estimated home value is $358,300, 4.4 times the median household income of $81,926 (moderate). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,616 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Smyrna?
Tennessee residential electricity averaged 13.42¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.10 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 96.3) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 4769420 (Smyrna town).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Tennessee residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Midwest (PADD 2), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U South region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources