Best places to live in Tennessee
An ideal town or neighborhood looks different for everyone.
Those who can't get enough of the outdoors may prioritize proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches, while parents are looking for places with top-ranked schools for their children. Culture lovers might want to live in a city with museums and art walks, whereas sports fans look for professional or college sports teams nearby.
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Tennessee using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums.
Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.
#10. Brentwood, Tennessee
- Overall Rank: 357
- Population: 44,830
- Median household income: $181,576
- Median home value: $842,400 (92% own)
- Median rent: $2,459 (8% rent)
- Top public schools: Ravenwood High School (grade A+), Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet High School (grade A+), Jordan Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: University School of Nashville (grade A+), Harpeth Hall School (grade A+), Montgomery Bell Academy (grade A+)
#9. Farragut, Tennessee
- Overall Rank: 869
- Population: 23,795
- Median household income: $135,725
- Median home value: $463,300 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,525 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Farragut High School (grade A), L&N STEM Academy (grade A), Farragut Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Webb School of Knoxville (grade A+), Rivers Edge Christian Academy (grade A), Knoxville Catholic High School (grade A)
#8. Franklin, Tennessee
- Overall Rank: 1,129
- Population: 83,630
- Median household income: $106,592
- Median home value: $574,000 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,785 (36% rent)
- Top public schools: Jordan Elementary School (grade A+), Creekside Elementary School (grade A+), Brentwood High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: University School of Nashville (grade A+), Harpeth Hall School (grade A+), Montgomery Bell Academy (grade A+)
#7. Germantown, Tennessee
- Overall Rank: 1,841
- Population: 41,094
- Median household income: $140,429
- Median home value: $402,300 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,700 (12% rent)
- Top public schools:
- Top private schools: Forest Hill Elementary School (grade A), White Station High School (grade A), Farmington Elementary School (grade A)
#6. Nolensville, Tennessee
- Overall Rank: 256
- Population: 14,444
- Median household income: $158,266
- Median home value: $601,900 (93% own)
- Median rent: $2,714 (7% rent)
- Top public schools: Ravenwood High School (grade A+), Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet High School (grade A+), Jordan Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Franklin Road Academy (grade A), Brentwood Academy (grade A), Lighthouse Christian School & Preschool (grade A)
#5. Signal Mountain, Tennessee
- Overall Rank: 1,777
- Population: 8,833
- Median household income: $132,639
- Median home value: $431,800 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,670 (11% rent)
- Top public schools: STEM School Chattanooga (grade A), Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts (grade A), Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences (CSAS) - Upper School (grade A)
- Top private schools: McCallie School (grade A+), Baylor School (grade A+), Girls Preparatory School (grade A)
#4. Watkins Park, Tennessee
- Overall Rank: 1,826
- Population: 1,539
- Median household income: $55,444
- Median home value: $358,300 (3% own)
- Median rent: $1,638 (97% rent)
- Top public schools: Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet School (grade A+), Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet High School (grade A+), Valor Flagship Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: University School of Nashville (grade A+), Harpeth Hall School (grade A+), Montgomery Bell Academy (grade A+)
#3. Music Row, Tennessee
- Overall Rank: 1,688
- Population: 3,823
- Median household income: $79,056
- Median home value: $857,999 (20% own)
- Median rent: $1,853 (80% rent)
- Top public schools: Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet School (grade A+), Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet High School (grade A+), Valor Flagship Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: University School of Nashville (grade A+), Harpeth Hall School (grade A+), Montgomery Bell Academy (grade A+)
#2. Sulphur Dell (North Capital Area), Tennessee
- Overall Rank: 1,151
- Population: 1,190
- Median household income: $79,166
- Median home value: $357,829 (30% own)
- Median rent: $1,766 (70% rent)
- Top public schools: Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet School (grade A+), Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet High School (grade A+), Valor Flagship Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: University School of Nashville (grade A+), Harpeth Hall School (grade A+), Montgomery Bell Academy (grade A+)
#1. Downtown, Tennessee
- Overall Rank: 911
- Population: 1,527
- Median household income: $96,607
- Median home value: $342,594 (26% own)
- Median rent: $1,950 (74% rent)
- Top public schools: Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet School (grade A+), Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet High School (grade A+), Valor Flagship Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: University School of Nashville (grade A+), Harpeth Hall School (grade A+), Montgomery Bell Academy (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.
