Best Places to Live in Tennessee
A look at the top 10 most livable cities in the Volunteer State.
In This Article
Here are the best places to live in Tennessee:
- Nashville, TN
- Knoxville, TN
- Chattanooga, TN
- Johnson City, TN
- Memphis, TN
- Franklin, TN
- Clarksville, TN
- Murfreesboro, TN
- Maryville, TN
- Jackson, TN
Nashville
The capital of Tennessee is nicknamed “Music City” thanks to an entertainment industry that provides $10 billion in annual economic impact. Tourism and health care also contribute to the robust Nashville economy, and the city is making a name for itself in the tech sphere. Additionally, Nashville houses several colleges and universities, professional sports and world-class attractions like the Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
Want to learn more about why Nashville is one of the best places to live in Tennessee? Find out.
Knoxville
The living is good on ‘ole Rocky Top. The University of Tennessee’s flagship campus is in Knoxville, and the city serves as the main gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In addition, Knoxville features a revitalized downtown district, two regional malls, several hospitals, and a 13-foot bronze statue of Alex Haley – the nation’s largest bronze statue of an African American.
Want to learn more about why Knoxville is one of the best places to live in Tennessee? Find out.
Chattanooga
Known internationally for the 1941 song Chattanooga Choo Choo by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Chattanooga is recognized as a Tree City USA community and includes attractions like Rock City and the Tennessee Aquarium. In addition, three hospital systems serve residents, and Chattanooga is conveniently located at the intersection of three major interstates.
Want to learn more about why Chattanooga is one of the best places to live in Tennessee? Find out.
Johnson City
Home to East Tennessee State University and its 11,000 students, Johnson City is a retail and healthcare hub for northeast Tennessee, southwest Virginia and parts of western North Carolina. Forbes ranks the community among the “Best Small Places for Business and Careers” and points to an affordable cost of living, low utility rates, and reasonable health care costs.
Want to learn more about why Johnson City is one of the best places to live in Tennessee? Find out.
Memphis
The largest city on the Mississippi River, Memphis is home to three Fortune 500 companies – AutoZone, FedEx and International Paper – along with the Memphis Grizzlies NBA team and the University of Memphis. In addition, the city is well known for its musical contributions and iconic attractions like Graceland, the home of Elvis Pressley, and the Beale Street Historic District.
Want to learn more about why Memphis is one of the best places to live in Tennessee? Find out.
Franklin
Founded in 1799, Franklin promotes its historic sites, especially in the downtown district, with a Main Street filled with boutiques and eateries. Several large companies are based in Franklin, including Nissan North America and MARS Petcare, and a regional mall called CoolSprings Galleria attracts millions of shoppers each year. The city also hosts a huge annual Main Street Festival.
Want to learn more about why Franklin is one of the best places to live in Tennessee? Find out.
Clarksville
Austin Peay State University and the Fort Campbell U.S. Army Base are two significant landmarks in Clarksville. The city is also home to The Leaf-Chronicle, the oldest newspaper in Tennessee. The town has an excellent parks system and many shopping options. As a result, Clarksville is on course to become one of the most populated cities in Tennessee.
Want to learn more about why Clarksville is one of the best places to live in Tennessee? Find out.
Murfreesboro
The growing community of Murfreesboro houses Middle Tennessee State University, one of the largest undergraduate universities in Tennessee, thanks to its 22,000 students. In addition, the city’s close proximity to Nashville makes Murfreesboro attractive to companies, and two large shopping malls serve the region – Stones River Mall and The Avenue Murfreesboro.
Want to learn more about why Murfreesboro is one of the best places to live in Tennessee? Find out.
Maryville
Cable channel A&E named Maryville to its list of “Top Ten Cities to Have It All,” citing amenities like parks and greenways. Maryville is also home to Maryville College, founded in 1819 and ranking as one of the 50 oldest colleges in the nation. In addition, the scenic community features a strong economy with 20 companies/organizations with at least 200 employees.
Want to learn more about why Maryville is one of the best places to live in Tennessee? Find out.
Jackson
Situated along Interstate 40, Jackson offers a reasonable cost of living, low property taxes and several college and university campuses. A popular gathering place for cultural events is the Ned R. McWherter West Tennessee Cultural Arts Center, commonly known as “The Ned.” At the same time, Fairgrounds Park is a well-visited outdoor sanctuary with a quarter-mile track and fishing lakes.
Want to learn more about why Knoxville is one of the best places to live in Tennessee? Find out.
