Why Nashvillians are Leaving Music City in Droves

Nashville has long been called "Music City." Dating back to the 1800s, this city was a magnet for music publishing and quickly became a city of entertainment and bustling nightlife. The attractiveness of Nashville has led several people to settle down, start families, and "do life" here. Nashville is one of the biggest tourist cities in the United States. It has entertainment, tours, and music galore. So, why are so many people leaving Nashville for a different and "better" life elsewhere? Here are several reasons why Nashvillians are leaving Music City in droves.

To compile a list of reasons why Nashvillians are leaving Music City, Moms Who Think looked at reasons listed on forums from Reddit and Quora from residents themselves. In forums like this one, residents discussed why they no longer desire to live in Nashville. Then, we looked at facts such as increased crime and a higher cost of living to verify this information.

If you are considering moving to Music City or looking for a different place to live, take a look at this list and consider why so many Nashvillians think it's not the best place to build a life.

Nashville's population continues to increase. As of today, around 687,150 people are living in the city. However, the metro area of Nashville is another story. It has approximately 1,333,000 people living here. With the high population count, it's unsurprising to hear that the city has increased crime.

According to US News, in 2022, the crime rate in Nashville, TN, was 1215.2 out of 100,000 people, which is higher than average. Additionally, according to WKRN, Property crime in 2024 increased in Nashville by around 9.8%. However, violent crime has decreased slightly.

Families wanting to raise a family or individuals who want to feel safe have found it safer to leave Music City altogether.

The cost of living almost everywhere in the United States increased in 2024. Many families and individuals are looking for areas around the country that may help them save some money.

According to Forbes Advisor, a household needs at least around $72,031 to maintain a comfortable living in Nashville, and the cost of living is around 3% higher than in other areas. While this may seem small, a slight raise can strain a person's wallet.

Additionally, Forbes shares that homes in Nashville tend to be around 8% more expensive, and utilities are 18% higher.

While the public school system in Nashville truly depends on which school your child attends, many parents report not being happy.

AXIOS Nasvhille shares the results of 2024 test scores within the Metro Nasvhille Public Schools in standardized testing. TCAP scores have increased slightly in all areas, which is excellent news for the schools.

However, the scores are still low, with 29.6% of students meeting or passing expectations in ELA. Furthermore, the math scores show that around 26.4% of students pass or exceed expectations. This is not a number that many families are happy with.

Since Nashville is a tourist city, it makes sense that the traffic would be crazy. However, with the increase in people living in the area and people traveling to visit, daily traffic is getting too much for some families.

Many people who are getting off work or enjoying their weekend do not want to spend hours in traffic. Instead, they would rather spend this time with their families or have downtime in the evenings.

Finding a house big enough for your family, one that is comfortable and affordable has become increasingly difficult for families in the United States. Those living in a large city may feel the strain even more. According to Zillow, the average Nashville home was reported to be around $431,356 in October 2024. This value has increased by $145,218 since 2019.

This increase in housing costs has made finding a good home immensely difficult for many families. Instead, they are leaving Music City to live more affordably somewhere else.

Since Nashville has become a popular place for people to start careers, it's no surprise that it has become increasingly crowded. With tourists wanting to see all the famous attractions, such as the Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, and the Grand Ole Opry, it's hard to find much breathing room in this city.

Nashville is not the best place to live for those who prefer privacy, quiet outings, or less crowded streets.

Another complaint among those living in Nashville is how touristy the city is. Of course, this is to be expected from a city that has produced so many famous names and faces. It's only human nature to visit the place where so many icons got their start and still live.

However, for those Nashvillians simply trying to live their own life, the tourist atmosphere grows old very quickly.

There are plenty of sites that boast Nashville's kid-friendliness. There are walkable sidewalks, plenty of kid options such as zoos, and fun galore. However, for real Nashvillians who have decided to leave the city, the kid-friendliness is a mirage.

Nashville is a tourist city, meaning its atmosphere is built specifically for tourists. Additionally, other reasons on this list, such as the higher cost of living, traffic, and poor school performance, make the city not exactly family or kid-friendly.

One reason many people are choosing to leave Nashville is the inability to find and create a great community of friends. While finding a community in a large city isn't entirely impossible, there are some reasons it's harder.

Nashville is fast growing, propelling it towards one of the largest cities in the United States. With that many people around, the hustle and bustle is relatively high. People going from place to place can find it hard when searching for "your people." Additionally, it's a heavy-drinking city. While this may be great for some, those who would instead participate in other activities may find it harder to make friends.

With the number of people leaving Nashville, it's easy to assemble the puzzle pieces. All the little reasons add up to one specific reason for the quick exits. Raising a family in Nashville is far harder than in a quieter city or town.

With the increasing crime in Nashville, feelings of uneasiness may creep up. Having to worry about your family's safety constantly adds stress to families, and the higher cost of living also increases the stress of raising a family.

Each of these small reasons adds up to one bigger reason. Those who want a great quality of life with their family may find it easier to do it elsewhere.

Nashville is a beautiful and clean city that many people love to visit. However, there's a reason so many people say not to move to your favorite vacation or tourist spot. These cities are tourist spots for a reason. They are built specifically for tourists to visit and enjoy a break from real life.

However, it may become increasingly more difficult if you are trying to create a "real life" in a city like Nashville. Those looking to break into the music world can easily find many benefits living in Nashville. Connections, entertainment, and more can make breaking into a career easier (or more difficult, depending on who you ask.)

Yet, those who want to live a simple life and raise a family realize that Music City may not be their best option. For these reasons and more, Nashvillians are leaving Music City in droves to find and build a great life in a place better for families and kids.