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Moving to Tennessee? Here’s 7 Terrific Towns to Call Home

In the Volunteer State, you'll find plenty of great places to live. Here's a sampling of several hometowns worthy of your consideration.

By Livability on November 18, 2023

There is a variety of great places to live in Tennessee.
Jeff Adkins

Tennessee offers an impressive roster of highly livable communities in every corner of the state.

Initiatives such as the Tennessee Main Street and Tennessee Downtowns programs have allowed communities to invest in their downtowns and creating public gathering places and spaces where residents can live, work and enjoy. 

People from far and wide have discovered Tennessee, and they’re quickly choosing to relocate and build a life they love. It is a story told in every corner of the state. 

Phil Voegtle moved to Oak Ridge from Colorado with his wife in 2021. He serves as the Oak Ridge office leader for Burns & McDonnell, an engineering, architecture and construction firm. 

“The people are amazing. It’s a melting pot of people from all over because Y-12 National Security Complex and Oak Ridge National Laboratory attract some of the brightest people from all over the country here,” he says. “We find the people to be very open and accepting and warm everywhere we go. It’s just a nice place to be.” 

Among the state’s many advantages: 

  • Affordability: Tennessee had the 10th-lowest cost of living among states in 2022. Average housing costs were 82% of the U.S. average. Tennessee has no state income tax. 
  • Career opportunity: Whether you want to start a career or build on one, Tennessee gives you the opportunity. The state added more than 360,000 jobs between 2013 and 2022. 
  • Mobility: It’s easy to get to and from – and around – in Tennessee. The state boasts five commercial airports, and eight interstate highways run through it. 

Tennessee can give you a range of options, from the bright lights of major cities such as Nashville and Memphis, to charming smaller towns with lively downtowns to rural communities that offer wide open spaces and elbow room. 

What follows is just a small sample of what Tennessee has to offer. 

Clarksville 

In Clarksville, history and progress come together along the banks of the Cumberland River. 

Home to Austin Peay State University and neighbor to Fort Campbell, a U.S. Army post and home of the 101st Airborne Division, Clarksville is also home to more than 177,000 residents. 

Located about an hour northwest of Nashville, Clarksville boasts a median home value 86% of the U.S. average and a thriving job market that includes major employers Trane, Tennova Healthcare, Hankook Tire and LG Electronics. 

Downtown Maryville, TN
Nathan Lambrecht

Maryville

Families in this Blount County community love having all the perks of a vibrant city at their fingertips, from restaurants to shops to entertainment options. 

Residents have easy access to bountiful forests, mountains and streams. Numerous hiking trails connect to the Appalachian Trail network, and water sports, from river tubing to fishing, are popular pastimes. Plus, the city also offers a number of urban oases like the Maryville-Alcoa Greenway and the Maryville College Trails. 

“There are lots of places where you can be active – parks will have playgrounds, tennis and pickleball courts, and softball and baseball fields,” says Sarah Calkin, who grew up in nearby Knoxville. 

Calkin also praises Maryville City Schools. “The things that the schools provide for the kids are incredible – from extracurriculars to the option to take college-level classes in high school,” she says. 

Jackson 

Located in the heart of West Tennessee with just over 68,000 residents, Jackson is a thriving and welcoming community. 

Median home values in Jackson are 62% of the U.S. average and the city boasts excellent schools, health care facilities and a thriving economy with diverse job opportunities. There are also plenty of outdoor activities, such as hiking and fishing at Cypress Grove Nature Park and Beech Lake. 

“The people are friendly and supportive of events, organizations and each other. There is so much philanthropy here, and many people are willing to give their time and resources to help each other and the community,” says Mark Cancia, corps officer of the Salvation Army, who accepted his post in Jackson in 2020. “There’s a great sense of community in Jackson.” 

Collierville 

Located 30 minutes from downtown Memphis, Collierville has cultivated a reputation as one of Tennessee’s most beautiful and friendly places. 

With ready access to big-city amenities, this community of nearly 52,000 residents blends historic charm and a small town atmosphere. The historic Collierville Town Square, one of 45 certified Tennessee Main Street communities, is home to unique local shops and restaurants, and hosts events throughout the year, including Taste of the Town and a summer concert series. 

Collierville Schools consistently ranks among the top districts in Tennessee, and residents have access to more than 800 acres of parkland and 18 miles of Greenbelt trails. 

Enjoy the water activities in Hendersonville, TN.
Nathan Lambrecht

Hendersonville 

Called the “City by the Lake,” Hendersonville is an engaging community nestled on the shoreline along Old Hickory Lake outside Nashville. 

Residents enjoy the perks of lake life like the Bluegrass Yacht and Country Club, golf courses and beautiful parks, along with many dining, shopping and family-friendly entertainment options. 

Home to more than 63,000 people, Hendersonville provides careers with employers like Xtend Healthcare, TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center and MGM Industries. 

Hendersonville’s standout parks system includes a network of trails and greenways, as well as the Drakes Creek Park athletic complex. Memorial Park includes picnic shelters, playground areas and an 18-hole disc golf course. 

Kingsport 

Kingsport sits at the northeastern gateway to Virginia and North Carolina where more than 56,000 residents live, work and play. 

History buffs flock to places like the Exchange Place living history farm and Rotherwood Mansion, both listed on the National Register. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the Greenbelt and Bays Mountain Park. 

Families can settle down with average home prices around $229,000 (Zillow, August 2023) and work for major employers like Eastman, Domtar and Ballad Health, to name a few. 

Looking for a new hometown? Consider relocating to Johnson City, TN.
Johnson City Aerial Photography

Johnson City

Voted as one of the nation’s most popular metro areas for raising a family or retiring, Johnson City offers a low cost of living within a thriving city of more than 70,000 residents. Home to East Tennessee State University, Johnson City brings culture and education together near the highly accessible and scenic crossroads of the southern Appalachian Mountains.

Johnson City also offers an average home value of around $265,000 (Zillow, October 2023) and a business-friendly climate with major employers like Mountain States Health Alliance and Citi Commerce Solutions.

“Johnson City is a great place to raise a family and start a business,” says Keddrain Bowen, founder/ owner of sports apparel and memorabilia company Fanatics 101. “I started my business out of the trunk of my car almost 20 years ago, and I’m grateful for the support I have received here over the years.”

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