Americans love Tennessee! And why wouldn’t you? World Population Review ranks Tennessee as the 6th most affordable state in 2024. The cost of living in the state is 11% lower than the national average.
Apart from affordable living, the Volunteer State offers excellent job opportunities. The state is projected to create 33,800 new jobs in 2024. Moreover, Tennessee has the 15th lowest property tax rate in the country. Let’s explore the best places to live in Tennessee.
Find Homes in Some of the Best Places in TN
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Find Homes in Some of the Best Places in TN
View 24,936 Homes For Sale in Tennessee
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3 Reasons to Live in Tennessee 🌄
- Flourishing Job Market: By 2030, the job market in Tennessee will rise by 16.2%. Transportation, finance, and healthcare are the growing sectors.
- Affordable Healthcare: The cost of healthcare services such as body check-ups and dentistry in Tennessee is 12% less than the national average.
- Enormous Tax Benefits: In Tennessee, there is no tax on income. Also, the median property tax bill in the state is $1,270, which is lower than the national average.
7 Best Places to Live in Tennessee
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Memphis | 11,441 | $142,688 | $7,878 | 4.4% | 62/100 |
| 2. | Brownsville | 311,549 | $147,682 | $8,649 | 7.50% | 74/100 |
| 3. | Knoxville | 292,449 | $337,544 | $8,464 | 4.60% | 74/100 |
| 4. | Chattanooga | 91,798 | $287,374 | $7,808 | 4.10% | 57/100 |
| 5. | Union City | 146,199 | $140,171 | $8,366 | 9.0% | 62/100 |
| 6. | Johnson City | 134,283 | $262,824 | $8,540 | 5.90% | 62/100 |
| 7. | Nashville | 30,168 | $423,694 | $8,187 | 3.70% | 69/100 |
1. Memphis
| Home Value | ⬇️ 4.5% |
| Median Income | $26,006 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,878 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% |
Memphis is a perfect option for those living on a budget. The median home price in the city has gone down by 6.4% as compared to last year. Moreover, the cost of living in Memphis is 13% lower than the national average.
Memphis is ideal for job seekers, the job market in the city is projected to grow by 36.6% in the coming decade. The city is known for its top-rated education system. The Memphis-Shelby County School System is the largest school district in Tennessee.
» Homes for Sale in Memphis, TN: Find your dream home in this affordable city.
2. Brownsville
| Home Value | ⬆️ 11.7% |
| Median Income | $20,326 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,649 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.50% |
The median home price in Brownsville is $147,682. The city’s cost of living is 24% less than the national average. Also, Brownsville has a booming job market, with an average salary range of $15-$28/hr.
Brownsville has excellent connectivity and the McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport (MKL / KMKL) is just 10-15 miles away from the city center. Besides this, the city scores 100/100 in the air quality metrics.
» Homes for Sale in Brownsville, TN: View the best properties in Brownsville online.
3. Knoxville
| Home Value | ⬆️ 12.0% |
| Median Income | $23,898 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,464 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.60% |
The median home price in Knoxville is $337,544. The cost of living in the city is 4% lower than the state average. Moreover, Knoxville has a stable job market with an unemployment rate of 3.4%, less than the national average.
Knoxville created 16,400 new jobs in 2023. Covenant Health, Knox County Schools, The University of Tennessee Knoxville, and the Y-12 National Security Complex are the major employers.
» Homes for Sale in Knoxville, TN: Find your dream home online.
4. Chattanooga
| Home Value | ⬆️ 5.6% |
| Median Income | $27,312 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,808 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.10% |
The median home price in Chattanooga is $287,374. The cost of living in the city is 7% lower than the national average. Chattanooga is 17% cheaper than Nashville when it comes to housing.
Chattanooga is ideal for job seekers, with over 90,000 employees. The city is home to big tech giants like Skuid, CodeScience, MCA Technology Solutions, and Info Systems Corporation.
» Homes for Sale in Chattanooga, TN: Find the best properties in the Chattanooga neighborhood.
5. Union City
| Home Value | ⬆️ 1.5% |
| Median Income | $21,788 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,366 |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% |
The median home price in Union City is $140,171. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $609. Also, the city is home to the prestigious Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT), which is ideal for higher education.
The cost of housing in Union City is 12% lower than the state average. Moreover, the city’s job market is projected to grow by 23% in the next ten years.
Masonite International Corporation, Dura Automotive Systems LLC, and Olgoonik Technical Services LLC are some of the major employers.
» Homes for Sale in Union City, TN: View the best luxurious properties for sale in Union City.
6. Johnson City
| Home Value | ⬆️ 10.4% |
| Median Income | $23,564 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,540 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.90% |
The median home price in Johnson City is $262,824. The cost of living in the city is 4% lower than the national average. In addition, the city has a great educational setup. It’s home to the prestigious East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and Quillen College of Medicine.
Johnson City is home to some big corporations like TPI, Powell, and Lab Connect. The city’s unemployment rate is 3.40%, decreasing at a decent pace.
» Homes for Sale in Johnson City, TN: Find your dream home on Houzeo.
7. Nashville
| Home Value | ⬆️ 1.4% |
| Median Income | $72,537 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,187 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.70% |
The median home price in Nashville has gone down by 0.3% as compared to last year. Healthcare costs in Nashville are 10% lower than the national average.
Nashville has a booming job market. The music city is ranked 6th in the top metro job markets, with 5.5% growth. Over the years, the city’s economy has flourished in sectors like health sciences, transportation, and retail marketing.
» Homes for Sale in Nashville, TN: View thousands of properties for sale in Nashville.
Best Places to Live in Tennessee for Families
When moving with your family, a decent education system, safe neighborhoods, and good connectivity are necessary. Here are the best cities in Tennessee for families:
- Kingston: The city offers excellent healthcare to its residents and is home to the highly-rated Roane Medical Center. Also, the crime rate in Kingston is lower than the national average.
- Nolensville: The city is home to Nolensville High School, ranked in the top 10 schools in the state. Furthermore, the crime rate in the city is 4.34/1000 people, which is 86.24% lower than the state average.
Best Places to Live in Tennessee for Young Adults
Here are the best places to live in Tennessee for young adults:
- Franklin: The average salary for a college graduate in Franklin is $19,183. The job market is projected to increase by 51.22% in the next ten years, higher than the national projection.
- Jackson: The average salary in the city is $18,990. The job market in Jackson saw a growth of 18.92% over the past few years.
Bottom Line
Tennessee is one of the best places to live in the US due to its thriving job market and low cost of living. Other things that contribute are its excellent education system and vibrant city life.
Tennessee’s current population is 7 million, and it’s projected to increase by 21.8% by 2028. Moreover, the Volunteer State is ranked 5th among the most fiscally stable states in the country.
In some cities, the median home price is around $140,171, whereas in cities like Nashville, it can go up to $423,694. So, you must do your research before you move to Tennessee. To start your home search, browse properties online.
Find Homes For Sale by Type and Style in TN
Research Methodology
We considered different regions to rank the best places in Tennessee. Comparison criteria for the best cities to live in Tennessee and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: Tennessee Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[7]
Additionally, we have listed the good cities to live in Tennessee for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, retirees, and working professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best place to live in Tennessee?
Memphis is the best place to live in Tennessee. The city's cost of living is low and has a flourishing job market.
Which is the best place to live in Tennessee for retirees?
Brownsville is the best place to live for retirees. The city has excellent connectivity and great climatic conditions.
Which is the cheapest place to live in Tennessee?
Union City is the cheapest place to live in Tennessee. The home prices and cost of living in the city are among the lowest in the state.
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