Best Places to Live in Tennessee
Tennessee is all about rolling hills, friendly faces, and the major perk of no state income tax. Beyond the lights of Nashville, you will find a state where careers actually grow and families can really settle down. It is a place where the cost of living stays about 10% below the national average, which is why the population has climbed to over 7.3 million residents in 2026. Whether you are into healthcare, cars, or music, there is a spot for you here. Here are 10 of the best places to call home in Tennessee.
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FAQsRankings: 10 Best Places in Tennessee
With affordable home prices, Memphis is home to 610,900 neighbors who give the city its soul. It’s a career powerhouse anchored by FedEx, St. Jude, and Baptist Health, with average salaries around $51K. Families love East Memphis,...
Personal Safety : 4
Property Safety : N/A
Community Safety : 10
$215,000
Median Home Rent
$1,235
In Brownsville, life slows down just enough. It’s a favorite for retirees and first-time buyers who want low taxes and a friendly, small-town vibe. You’ll often see locals grabbing lunch at a downtown diner or visiting the Tina Tu...
Personal Safety : 39
Property Safety : 41
Community Safety : 17
$95,000
Median Home Rent
$1,000
Knoxville is a city of 198,700 people that feels like a college town, thanks to the University of Tennessee. Between the university, Covenant Health, and the tech firms in Oak Ridge, there are plenty of stable career paths. Locals...
Personal Safety : 9
Property Safety : 30
Community Safety : 12
$413,555
Median Home Rent
$1,825
Chattanooga is home to 191,400 people and is famous for its super-fast citywide internet. This high-speed fiber is a huge draw for remote workers and startups, supported by a median income of $61,000 and major employers like Volks...
Personal Safety : 5
Property Safety : 13
Community Safety : 3
$362,000
Median Home Rent
$1,600
Union City sits in northwest Tennessee near the Kentucky border with 10,800 residents. It’s a top choice for retirees and first-time buyers because housing is among the state's most affordable. The job market centers on manufactur...
Personal Safety : 20
Property Safety : 26
Community Safety : 13
$225,000
Median Home Rent
$1,100
Johnson City houses 73,600 people and perfectly blends stunning mountain views with urban growth. East Tennessee State University and a massive healthcare sector anchor the economy, providing thousands of stable jobs. Locals love ...
Personal Safety : 33
Property Safety : 43
Community Safety : 18
$351,325
Median Home Rent
$1,411
Nashville is the state's capital and largest city with 704,500 residents. It’s the economic heart of Tennessee, fueled by healthcare, tech, and music. Vanderbilt and HCA Healthcare are major employers, while Broadway’s honky-tonks...
Personal Safety : 1
Property Safety : 11
Community Safety : 13
$575,000
Median Home Rent
$2,132
Franklin blends Civil War history with upscale modern living for its 45,500 residents. Its historic Main Street is a premier destination for boutique shopping and locally-owned dining. As a major professional hub, the city hosts c...
Personal Safety : 64
Property Safety : 86
Community Safety : 68
$1,078,900
Median Home Rent
$2,750
With about 45,000 residents, Brentwood is a wealthy suburb where families usually earn over $184,700 a year. The city is a top choice for corporate leaders and music stars because strict property rules ensure homes stay high-end a...
Personal Safety : 89
Property Safety : 85
Community Safety : 80
$1,610,375
Median Home Rent
$4,500
Maryville sits right at the foothills of the Smokies, giving its 32,300 residents a front-row seat to Cades Cove and park trails without the Gatlinburg crowds. The economy is rock-solid, backed by Alcoa and a healthy $79K median i...
Personal Safety : 82
Property Safety : 87
Community Safety : 69
$399,900
Median Home Rent
$1,900
Explore the Best Neighborhoods of Cities in Tennessee
Top 3 Best Places to Retire in Tennessee
Top 3 Best Places to Live in Tennessee for Families
Top 3 Best Places to Live in Tennessee for Young Adults
Best Affordable Places to Live in Tennessee
If you're searching for Tennessee cities that balance lower home prices with a reasonable cost of living, these options are a good place to start. They offer steady job access, essential amenities, and housing that fits wider budgets, which makes them some of the cheapest places to live in Tennessee.
| City | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Cost of Living vs. State Avg. | Affordability Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LaFollette | $425,000 | $1,375 |  4% lower | 7.6/10 |
| Jackson | $298,000 | $1,373 | 1% lower | 5.5/10 |
| Rockwood | $50,000 | $1,300 | 5% lower | 6.6/10 |
| Kingsport | $290,000 | $1,208 | 1% lower | 5.9/10 |
| Clarksville | $320,000 | $1,450 | 9% lower | 5.9/10 |
Safest Places to Live in Tennessee
Tennessee is home to communities known for low crime rates, welcoming neighborhoods, and a strong sense of community. If you're comparing the safest places to live in Tennessee, these communities provide a great starting point for finding a place to call home. Based on the latest FBI crime data, they report lower rates of violent and property crime than the state average.
Safest
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Ranking Methodology
To determine the best places to live, we applied a structured, data-driven methodology using verified economic and housing datasets. Our analysis incorporates employment levels and job stability (Bureau of Labor Statistics), cost-of-living benchmarks (C2ER), median home prices and average rents (Houzeo housing data), and income statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. Each factor was normalized against its respective state average to control for regional cost differences and market size. The combined metrics were then weighted and aggregated to produce a final comparative score, highlighting cities where income levels align more favorably with housing costs, employment conditions remain stable, and overall affordability is stronger relative to the state baseline.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Transparent & data-driven
How we ranked these cities
Each city is scored against the state average on five weighted factors, normalized to control for regional cost differences and market size. Home prices, rents, and inventory come straight from Houzeo's live MLS feed; everything else is sourced from verified government datasets.
Scoring weights
- Affordability30%
Median home price, price per sq ft & rent relative to local incomes vs. the state average.
- Safety & crime25%
Violent and property crime rates per capita from FBI reporting vs. the state average.
- Jobs & income20%
Median household income, employment levels & job stability vs. the state average.
- Housing & inventory15%
Active listings, days on market & buyer competition from Houzeo’s live MLS feed.
- Lifestyle & amenities10%
Schools, walkability, commute times & access to everyday amenities — the tiebreaker.
Our data sources
Important Legal Disclosures
MLS Disclaimers
The market analysis provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Data is sourced from public records, industry reports, and third-party providers, and while Houzeo strives for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information presented.
All estimates, projections, and historical data are based on statistical models and should not be relied upon as predictions of future market conditions. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and real estate market conditions may change due to various economic and regulatory factors. Users are responsible for conducting their own due diligence before making any real estate or financial decisions. Houzeo is not liable for any decisions or actions taken based on the information provided. Any unauthorized use, duplication, or distribution of the data may violate copyright laws and result in legal consequences. Certain information, tools and services on this page may be powered by third-party vendors. Houzeo does not control or guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or functionality of such third-party services.