These Are The 10 Best Places To Live In Tennessee For 2019

Where are the best places in the state of Tennessee?

To the untrained eye they are the places that have awesome economies. They’re the places in Volunteer State where people have the best jobs, residents are all above average, and the sun shines the most.

However, here at HomeSnacks, we don’t trust the untrained eye and instead look to data to understand the best places to call home in Tennessee.

There might be some surprises on this list, but when you look at the unbiased data, it’s hard to argue against.

After analyzing 91 places in Tennessee, we came up with this list of the best places:

1. Germantown (Photos | Homes For Sale)
2. Brentwood (Photos | Homes For Sale)
3. Signal Mountain (Photos | Homes For Sale)
4. Collierville (Photos | Homes For Sale)
5. Spring Hill (Photos | Homes For Sale)
6. Franklin (Photos | Homes For Sale)
7. Collegedale (Photos | Homes For Sale)
8. Nolensville (Photos | Homes For Sale)
9. Bartlett (Photos | Homes For Sale)
10. Mount Juliet (Photos | Homes For Sale)

Well, it looks like you should check out Germantown if you’re thinking of moving to Tennessee — it’s the best the Volunteer State has to offer according to the data.

Follow along as we provide more insight into how we reached our overall best places to live in Tennessee.

If you’re looking for something more national, check out the best states in America or the best places to live in America.

For more Tennessee reading, check out:

• These Are The 10 Best Counties To Live In Tennessee
• 10 Cheapest Places To Live In Tennessee
• 10 Best Places To Raise A Family In Tennessee

Mapping The Best And Worst Places To Live in Tennessee

The Pressing Question: Size

Before we even started to collect data, we had to answer a tough question: Is it fair to pit cities with populations over 100,000 against places with a population of 18?

We firmly decided no, that just isn’t fair.

So to create our ranking, we broke places to live into three tiers:

• Cities — Populations over 5,000
• Towns — Populations between 1,000 and 5,000
• Small Towns — Populations below 1,000

This left us with 91 cities, 175 towns, and 136 small towns.

We then decided, no matter how much anyone loves their town, the best places have more of everything and therefore you need to have over 5,000 people to truly be ‘the best’.

Now we also realize that city living might not be your cup of tea, so we ran the following analysis on towns and then again for small towns.

You can see those two top tens at the bottom of the post.

How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In Tennessee

Now that we had our set of cities, it was time to rank them.

We ranked each place in Tennessee across a number of criteria from one to 91, with one being the best.

We then took the average rank across all criteria, with the city posting the lowest overall score being crowned the winner of the title “Best Place To Live In Tennessee”.

The criteria we looked at were:

• Median Home Values
• Median Income
• Population Density (Higher better)
• Unemployment Rate
• Commute Time
• Crime
• Education Levels
• Health Insurance Coverage
• Poverty rates

Sources of criteria include the New Census Data and FBI Crime Data.

After the dust settled, what was the best place to live in Tennessee? That would be Germantown.

If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in Tennessee.

Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Germantown at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Germantown had the 8th lowest unemployment of any place in our research (3.7%) and the 12th lowest crime rate. However, the relative lack of population density and long commute times held it back from being higher on our list.

Germantown is home to an exceptional Volunteer Fire Department that represents so much about what it’s like to live there.

In Brentwood, everyone loves to call Brentwood home! The median home value is the 1st highest in Tennessee.

Additionally, the unemployment rate is the 2nd lowest in the state. and the crime rates are some of the lowest in Volunteer State.

Brentwood should consider renaming to Paradise Valley in our humble opinion.

The crime is the 1st lowest in the state in Signal Mountain, and there were only 4 violent crimes in the entire city last year. We think it’s even safer here than the numbers indicate.

The schools are some of the best in Tennessee, and residents live in very expensive homes. They also earn more than most every other city in the state. Residents in Signal Mountain earn $98,665 a year.

There’s two types of people who live in Collierville. Either the old hold outs who have lived there forever and are watching their home values skyrocket, or those d who can afford to buy a $278,600 home there.

Either way, you’re set. Your kids go to great schools, there’s a ton of things to do, and you earn a great salary. Collierville is exactly what you hoped for when you played that board game, LIFE as a kid.

Spring Hill has some of the most employed as well as the highest earning residents in the entire state of Tennessee. Factor in a very low crime rate, and this Spring Hill is a real gem.

With high incomes comes a high cost of living, which can been seen in the home prices. Additionally, the commute time for Spring Hill residents to work is significantly higher than average.

Franklin is one of the greatest places to be in Tennessee.

Being in the top 25% for unemployment, education, and crime index all help to keep Franklin from acquiring any kind of inferiority complex.

That, and the fact that Franklin is largest town in the top ten.

We wouldn’t be surprised if more and more publications start to call Franklin one of America’s gems for 2019.

Collegedale has a strong showing in our best places to live in Tennessee analysis, coming it at 7th best.

It ranks highly like many others in the top ten for a low unemployment rate and high adjusted median income. It scored extra points relative to the top ten for its size and things to do.

If you’re thinking of moving to Tennessee, Collegedale is a great option.

Nolensville ranks 8th on our list of best places to live in Tennessee thanks to its low unemployment and high adjusted median income.

Additionally, its crime rate ranks in the lowest 10% of all places in Tennessee that we examined.

People have been flocking to Nolensville over the past years. Goes to show that everyone wants in on this great community.

Bartlett is another gem in Volunteer State. The unemployment rate here is 17th lowest in the entire state at 4.5%. Other factors that make Bartlett so desirable is the solid education and home prices.

Homes are valued at $171,300, and parents earn a combined $81,583 a year

There’s nothing like the American dream.

Mount Juliet is a cute little city where crime is far below the state average, and where it’s affordable. The schools are also solidly rated.

Home prices clock in at $223,800 and households earn a median salary of $77,965. One could get used to that.

Next 10 Cities

Wrapping Up The Best Places When It Comes To Living In Tennessee

If you’re looking at areas in Tennessee with the best economic situations, where there’s lower than average crime, and a lot to do, this is an accurate list.

Germantown made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in Tennessee for 2019.

Best Towns To Live In Tennessee

1. Lookout Mountain (Pop. 1,930)
2. Belle Meade (Pop. 2,704)
3. Oak Hill (Pop. 4,686)
4. Sewanee (Pop. 2,503)
5. Forest Hills (Pop. 4,999)
6. Gray (Pop. 1,806)
7. Medina (Pop. 4,025)
8. Shackle Island (Pop. 3,290)
9. Walden (Pop. 1,907)
10. Lakesite (Pop. 1,911)

Best Small Towns To Live In Tennessee

1. Ridgeside (Pop. 671)
2. Rockvale (Pop. 822)
3. Bell Buckle (Pop. 401)
4. Walterhill (Pop. 355)
5. Rockford (Pop. 788)
6. Berry Hill (Pop. 793)
7. Baneberry (Pop. 487)
8. Garland (Pop. 343)
9. Oak Grove CDP (Sumner (Pop. 215)
10. Gibson (Pop. 316)

If you’re curious enough, here are the worst places to live in Tennessee according to the data:

1. La Follette (Pop. 7,131)
2. Savannah (Pop. 7,043)
3. Ripley (Pop. 8,249)

For more Tennessee reading, check out:

• These Are The 10 Best Places To Retire In Tennessee For 2018
• These Are The 10 Richest Cities In Tennessee
• 10 Safest Places In Tennessee
• 10 Worst Places To Live In Tennessee

Detailed List Of The Best Places To Live In Tennessee

Rank	City	Population	Unemployment Rate	Home Value
1	Germantown	39,213	3.7%	$296,300
2	Brentwood	40,873	2.8%	$555,800
3	Signal Mountain	8,500	4.3%	$325,900
4	Collierville	48,005	3.8%	$278,600
5	Spring Hill	34,364	3.6%	$225,800
6	Franklin	70,625	4.2%	$342,900
7	Collegedale	10,438	3.8%	$194,400
8	Nolensville	6,724	3.0%	$341,400
9	Bartlett	58,318	4.5%	$171,300
10	Mount Juliet	29,853	3.9%	$223,800
11	Hendersonville	55,073	4.7%	$211,100
12	Maryville	28,151	5.7%	$190,000
13	Farragut	21,690	4.6%	$328,600
14	White House	10,944	5.6%	$174,300
15	Atoka	8,917	4.3%	$172,400
16	Oakland	7,270	5.4%	$175,400
17	Kingston	5,841	5.5%	$143,600
18	Jonesborough	5,234	3.7%	$149,500
19	Mount Carmel	5,425	6.0%	$130,400
20	Gallatin	33,426	6.2%	$168,600
21	Murfreesboro	122,007	6.7%	$186,200
22	Goodlettsville	16,848	9.0%	$177,900
23	Smyrna	45,369	5.5%	$155,500
24	Clarksville	146,281	8.8%	$140,000
25	Arlington	11,599	1.4%	$207,800
26	Church Hill	6,723	7.8%	$123,300
27	Munford	6,025	8.7%	$148,300
28	Greenbrier	6,684	10.0%	$136,900
29	Fairview	8,271	5.8%	$172,000
30	Lakeland	12,541	3.4%	$252,000
31	Millersville	6,602	4.7%	$152,000
32	Clinton	9,993	5.1%	$150,000
33	East Ridge	21,311	3.7%	$116,200
34	Red Bank	11,794	6.1%	$126,900
35	Oak Ridge	29,285	9.0%	$149,900
36	Kingsport	52,871	7.9%	$134,800
37	Tullahoma	19,185	6.8%	$114,900
38	La Vergne	34,451	6.8%	$130,700
39	Jackson	67,162	8.3%	$128,700
40	Martin	10,989	12.9%	$125,700
41	Lebanon	29,439	8.3%	$177,100
42	Soddy-Daisy	13,162	8.2%	$119,300
43	Portland	12,125	5.8%	$128,200
44	Chattanooga	175,462	8.7%	$152,000
45	Elizabethton	14,012	7.6%	$116,100
46	Knoxville	183,927	7.5%	$120,300
47	Greeneville	15,035	7.7%	$127,900
48	Bristol	26,734	8.6%	$111,900
49	Manchester	10,387	4.5%	$116,000
50	Erwin	5,998	18.2%	$97,300
51	Loudon	5,701	6.3%	$106,300
52	Springfield	16,650	9.6%	$130,400
53	Dickson	15,098	6.7%	$137,600
54	Humboldt	8,254	4.7%	$74,800
55	Winchester	8,504	9.4%	$118,600
56	Alcoa	9,058	4.5%	$121,900
57	Cleveland	43,276	10.1%	$154,900
58	Pigeon Forge	6,092	3.0%	$168,900
59	Pulaski	7,728	6.7%	$96,900
60	Millington	11,069	7.7%	$110,900
61	Cookeville	32,256	9.6%	$156,900
62	Columbia	36,130	9.4%	$122,200
63	Mckenzie	5,650	10.9%	$89,900
64	Dayton	7,308	8.6%	$113,900
65	Milan	7,803	9.7%	$101,000
66	Dunlap	5,065	6.4%	$129,800
67	Sevierville	16,213	7.8%	$166,300
68	Henderson	6,491	15.3%	$112,700
69	Lexington	7,796	8.2%	$112,200
70	Paris	10,168	9.4%	$87,700
71	Dyersburg	16,867	10.9%	$103,900
72	Morristown	29,395	9.7%	$109,000
73	Athens	13,651	10.2%	$131,700
74	Shelbyville	20,916	7.2%	$104,200
75	Sparta	5,063	8.7%	$90,900
76	Mcminnville	13,664	7.1%	$92,500
77	Brownsville	9,938	7.8%	$94,200
78	Covington	9,016	10.9%	$98,000
79	Crossville	11,308	9.7%	$136,900
80	Memphis	655,857	11.3%	$93,700
81	Bolivar	5,154	20.3%	$90,800
82	Lewisburg	11,376	12.4%	$92,200
83	Rockwood	5,443	9.4%	$73,200
84	Sweetwater	5,877	10.4%	$110,200
85	Newport	6,856	13.6%	$92,400
86	Lawrenceburg	10,573	12.0%	$85,700
87	Fayetteville	7,033	11.5%	$96,900
88	Harriman	6,223	16.7%	$79,000
89	La Follette	7,131	11.2%	$64,200
90	Savannah	7,043	18.4%	$87,500
91	Ripley	8,249	14.4%	$91,600