The Volunteer State
Living in
Tennessee
Everything you need to know about moving to, living in, and thriving in Tennessee — city guides, cost of living breakdowns, neighborhood overviews, schools, and more.
Tennessee’s Major Cities
From the neon of Broadway to the bluffs of the Mississippi — every major Tennessee city has its own identity, economy, and quality of life.
Music City. The fastest-growing large city in the US for the past decade. Healthcare capital, tech hub, and global music industry center rolled into one.
Birthplace of the blues, rock and roll, and soul music. Home to FedEx, the NBA’s Grizzlies, and the best BBQ in the country. A city of deep culture and real grit.
Gateway to the Smokies. Home to the University of Tennessee, an exploding food and arts scene, and some of the most affordable housing of any major city in the South.
The gig city. Chattanooga built the first municipal gigabit broadband network in the US, attracting remote workers and startups. Stunning river scenery and mountain access make it one of the most livable cities in the South.
One of the fastest-growing cities in the entire US. Affordable Nashville suburb with its own identity — MTSU campus, strong job market, and family-friendly neighborhoods.
Tennessee’s most affluent suburb. Historic downtown, top-ranked schools, and a booming corporate corridor. The destination for families relocating from higher-cost metros.
Tennessee Is Genuinely Affordable
Tennessee’s overall cost of living index sits around 89 — about 11% below the national average. Combined with zero state income tax, residents keep significantly more of what they earn compared to states like California, New York, or Illinois.
Housing is the biggest driver of savings. Even Nashville, the most expensive city in the state, offers home prices well below comparable metros in other regions. Memphis and Knoxville remain some of the most affordable mid-sized cities in the country.
| City | Median home price | vs. national avg |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville | $340,000 | +2% |
| Franklin | $640,000 | +92% |
| Chattanooga | $265,000 | −20% |
| Murfreesboro | $280,000 | −16% |
| Knoxville | $235,000 | −29% |
| Memphis | $145,000 | −56% |
How Tennessee Compares
Overall cost of living index. National average = 100.
Planning Your Move to Tennessee
Step-by-step guides for every stage of your move — from choosing a city to registering your car on day one.
Neighborhoods, job market, what to expect in year one, and the things nobody tells you before you move to Music City.
Read the guide 🎵The most affordable major city in Tennessee. Deep culture, strong community, and a cost of living that will genuinely surprise you.
Read the guide ⛰️College town feel with a real city’s amenities. Mountains 30 minutes away, UT football in the fall, and housing that’s still actually affordable.
Read the guide 🌉Remote worker’s dream. Gigabit internet, stunning scenery, outdoor lifestyle, and a downtown revitalization that’s still going strong.
Read the guide ✅Everything to do before, during, and after your move — from changing your driver’s license to registering to vote in your new county.
Get the checklist 🪪Step-by-step instructions for getting a Tennessee driver’s license, transferring your vehicle title, and registering your car — with links to the right offices.
Read the guideWhy 400,000 People Moved Here Last Decade
Tennessee keeps pulling people in from every corner of the country. Here’s what makes it different.
One of only nine states with zero personal income tax. Keep more of what you earn — period.
11% below the national average. Housing, groceries, utilities — all significantly cheaper than coastal metros.
Mild winters, warm summers, spectacular fall foliage, and spring wildflowers. A real climate without the extremes.
Hiking, fishing, camping, whitewater rafting. The Smokies alone draw more visitors than Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon combined.
Atlanta, Charlotte, and the Gulf Coast beaches are all within a half-day’s drive. Nashville to the Gulf — 6 hours.
Nashville’s music scene. Memphis’s soul and blues. Chattanooga’s arts revival. Tennessee punches far above its weight culturally.
Where to Live in Tennessee’s Cities
Every city has its own neighborhood character. Here’s a quick overview of the most talked-about areas.
The creative heart of the city. Walkable, diverse, full of independent restaurants and live music venues. Popular with young professionals and creatives.
Nashville’s most urban neighborhood. High-rises, top restaurants, and easy walkability. The choice for professionals who want a true city lifestyle.
Upscale suburban living with excellent schools, shopping, and dining. Popular with families and executives relocating from other cities.
Nashville’s oldest neighborhood, now one of its trendiest. Beautiful Victorian homes, award-winning restaurants, and a genuine sense of community.
Bungalows, tree-lined streets, and proximity to everything without the price tag of Gulch or Green Hills. A beloved neighborhood for young families.
Nashville’s most diverse and affordable neighborhood. Southeast of downtown, strong community identity, and significant investment in recent years.
Memphis’s most vibrant neighborhood. Cooper-Young district, Overton Park, and the city’s best concentration of bars, restaurants, and indie culture.
The traditional choice for Memphis families — good schools, quiet streets, and easy access to the city’s commercial corridors.
Beale Street, the Peabody Hotel, and a growing arts district. South Main is undergoing a genuine renaissance with galleries and restaurants.
One of Tennessee’s most desirable suburbs. Exceptional public schools, charming downtown village, and a tight-knit community feel.
Fast-growing suburb southeast of Memphis with a beautiful historic square, new development, and top-rated schools.
Memphis’s most eclectic district. Independent bookstores, craft cocktail bars, vintage shops, and a fiercely independent community spirit.
Knoxville’s entertainment district. Converted warehouses, craft breweries, and live music venues anchor this revitalized historic neighborhood.
The civic heart of downtown Knoxville. Farmers market, festivals, outdoor dining, and a surprisingly strong downtown residential community.
Adjacent to UT campus, Fort Sanders is dense, affordable, and full of students and young professionals. The most walkable neighborhood in Knoxville.
Knoxville’s most prestigious address. Beautiful homes along the Tennessee River, mature trees, and top schools. The city’s Green Hills equivalent.
The busiest commercial corridor in Knoxville. Restaurants, shopping, and a residential backbone of established mid-century homes.
Rapidly changing neighborhood north of downtown. Affordable housing, strong neighborhood associations, and a growing food and arts scene.
Chattanooga’s hottest neighborhood. Along the Tennessee River, with independent restaurants, boutiques, and direct access to the Riverwalk trail.
Galleries, food halls, and live music venues fill this former industrial district. The creative class has made Southside its home.
Charming historic neighborhood at the base of Lookout Mountain. Victorian homes, local coffee shops, and a true neighborhood feel.
Chattanooga’s most suburban corridor. Affordable housing, good schools, and major commercial development along the Gunbarrel Road corridor.
Literally on a mountain above the city. Top schools, stunning views, and a tight-knit community of families who love the elevation and the quiet.
A small city adjacent to Chattanooga that offers affordable housing within minutes of all the city’s amenities. Fast-growing and underpriced.
Major Universities in Tennessee
Tennessee’s university system attracts students and shapes the cities around it — from UT’s football culture to Vanderbilt’s research prestige.
Top-15 research university. Medical school, law school, and one of the strongest endowments in the South.
Tennessee’s flagship public university. 30,000+ students, SEC athletics, and a strong engineering and agricultural program.
Historically Black university with a strong tradition in STEM, agriculture, and public service.
One of Tennessee’s largest universities with 22,000+ students. Strong programs in aerospace, media, and business.
Urban research university with strong law, education, and engineering programs. Deep ties to Memphis’s civic and business community.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Growing campus with strong engineering and business programs.
Top music business program in the world. Located steps from Music Row, producing Nashville’s next generation of industry professionals.
Private liberal arts university in South Nashville. Growing business and health sciences programs alongside a close-knit campus community.
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