Well youve happened upon the right place!
Ive lived in Tennessee for over a decade and know the state like the back of my hand.
I always say theres a place to live in Tennessee for just about everyone.
Best Places to Live in Tennessee | (Shutterstock/Kevin Ruck)
With that being said, finding the exact right spot for isnt always easy.
And thats where I come in!
Ready to get started?
Best Cities to Live in Tennessee (shutterstock/Sean Pavone)
However, its slightly lower than the national average and more affordable than many other large cities.
Its also worth noting that the closer you live to downtown Nashville, the more expensive it will be.
Memphis is generally affordable, with median home prices beingunder $150,000and the average rent hovering over $1,300.
Unfortunately, increased crime, poverty, and abandoned buildings are some of the challenges Memphis is currently facing.
Still, its one of the best places to live in Tennessee for promising job prospects and quality healthcare.
The Volunteer States second-largest city is also favorable for startups and innovative young businesses.
Chattanooga
Another East Tennessee hub, Chattanooga is known for being a haven for outdoor lovers.
Clarksville
Clarksville is one of the oldest cities in Tennessee, established in 1785 well before statehood.
The city is home to Austin-Peay State University, as well as the states oldest newspaper,The Leaf-Chronicle.
An abundance of parks adds to the citys laid-back charm and suburban feel.
However, know that Clarksvilles violent crime statistics exceed both the state and the national averages.
5 Best Mid-Sized Cities in Tennessee
1.
Franklin
Part of the Greater Nashville area, Franklin is about 20 miles south of the city proper.
Rent averages about $1,450 in Johnson City.
However, Johnson City has some of the highest sales tax in both the state and nation.
Professional jobs outside the healthcare sector are also somewhat limited here.
Jackson
70 miles east of Memphis lies the mid-sized city of Jackson.
While not nearly as large as Memphis or Nashville, Jackson also has a strong musical legacy.
Its considered the birthplace of Rockabilly, an early music style thats essentially a hybrid of rock and country.
On the flip side, its crime statistics are some of the highest in the nation.
Lack of public transportation and non-existent nightlife may also cause you to pump the brakes on calling Jackson home.
Locals can expect to pay $1,500 in rent on average.
The fast-growing community is primarily fueled by the largest Nissan Motors manufacturing plant in the United States.
Rentals in Smyrna average around $2,100 per month, and the median home price is$383,000.
If you work in Nashville, youll need a car because public transit options are limited.
5 Best Small Cities in Tennessee
1.
Cookeville
Regarded as the Hub of the Upper Cumberlands, Cookeville sits in the north-northeast part of the state.
Cookeville is also a college town, home ofTennessee Tech University, one of the states highest-ranking public institutions.
Youll experience all four seasons here, including mild winters and summers that rarely exceed 90 degrees.
As a college town, employment opportunities for professionals are somewhat limited.
Monthly rent in Dayton averages around $650.
Jonesborough
Tennessees oldest town sits in the northeast corner of the state.
Renting in Jonesborough costs an average of around $1,300 per month.
Hohenwald
German for High Forest, Hohenwald is situated in the central-southwest part of the state.
First, its home toThe Elephant Sanctuary,the largest refuge for elephants in the nation.
Who wouldve thought?!
The resting place of Meriwether Lewis (of Lewis and Clark fame) is also nearby.
One of the challenges of living here is the low population density.
If you like having neighbors close by, youd be better off somewhere else.
Gatlinburg
Last but certainly not least is Gatlinburg.
