Moving to Tennessee is exciting — but choosing the right city can feel overwhelming. Each city offers a different lifestyle, cost of living, job market, and housing options.
This guide breaks down Tennessee’s most popular cities side by side so you can confidently decide where to live.
How to Use This Guide
Use this guide to:
Compare cities quickly
Match cities to your lifestyle and budget
Decide where to rent or buy
Narrow down your relocation search
Tennessee Cities at a Glance
City
Best Known For
Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing Options
Nashville
Music, jobs, growth
Fast-paced urban
Higher
Apartments, condos, homes
Knoxville
Outdoor + city balance
Relaxed
Moderate
Homes, condos, rentals
Chattanooga
Scenic & tech growth
Active lifestyle
Moderate
Homes, rentals
Johnson City
Small city charm
Quiet & affordable
Low
Homes, rentals
Kingsport
Family-friendly
Suburban
Low
Homes
Bristol
Border city charm
Small town
Low
Homes, rentals
Memphis
Culture & affordability
Urban
Low-moderate
Homes, rentals
Franklin
Historic & upscale
Suburban luxury
Higher
Homes
Murfreesboro
Commuter city
Suburban
Moderate
Homes, rentals
Clarksville
Military & growth
Family-friendly
Moderate
Homes, rentals
Cookeville
College town
Quiet
Low
Homes
Jackson
Regional hub
Affordable
Low
Homes, rentals
Tennessee Cities at a Glance
City :
Best Known For :
Lifestyle :
Cost of Living :
Housing Options :
Nashville
Music, jobs, growth
Fast-paced urban
Higher
Apartments, condos, homes
Knoxville
Outdoor + city balance
Relaxed
Moderate
Homes, condos, rentals
Chattanooga
Scenic & tech growth
Active lifestyle
Moderate
Homes, rentals
Johnson City
Small city charm
Quiet & affordable
Low
Homes, rentals
Kingsport
Family-friendly
Suburban
Low
Homes
Bristol
Border city charm
Small town
Low
Homes, rentals
Memphis
Culture & affordability
Urban
Low-moderate
Homes, rentals
Franklin
Historic & upscale
Suburban luxury
Higher
Homes
Murfreesboro
Commuter city
Suburban
Moderate
Homes, rentals
Clarksville
Military & growth
Family-friendly
Moderate
Homes, rentals
Cookeville
College town
Quiet
Low
Homes
Jackson
Regional hub
Affordable
Low
Homes, rentals
City-by-City Breakdown
Nashville
Best for: Careers, entertainment, nightlife
Vibe: Energetic, fast-growing
Cost: Higher than state average
Housing: Condos, apartments, suburban homes
Knoxville
Best for: Outdoor lovers, families
Vibe: Balanced & relaxed
Cost: Moderate
Housing: Homes, rentals, condos
Chattanooga
Best for: Remote workers, outdoor enthusiasts
Vibe: Active & growing
Cost: Moderate
Housing: Homes and rentals
Johnson City
Best for:Affordability, slower pace
Vibe: Small-city charm
Cost: Low
Housing: Homes, rentals
Kingsport
Best for:Families, stability
Vibe: Suburban
Cost: Low
Housing: Primarily homes
Bristol
Best for: Small-town living
Vibe: Laid-back
Cost: Low
Housing: Homes and rentals
Memphis
Best for: Culture, affordability
Vibe: Urban & historic
Cost: Low-moderate
Housing: Homes and rentals
Franklin
Best for:Upscale living, families
Vibe: Historic & refined
Cost: Higher
Housing: Primarily homes
Murfreesboro
Best for:Commuters
Vibe: Suburban growth
Cost: Moderate
Housing: Homes and rentals
Clarksville
Best for:Military families
Vibe: Growing & family-friendly
Cost:Moderate
Housing: Homes and rentals
Cookeville
Best for: College town living
Vibe: Quiet & relaxed
Cost: Low
Housing: Homes
Jackson
Best for: Regional affordability
Vibe: Small city
Cost: Low
Housing: Homes and rentals
Which City Is Right for You?
Young professionals: Nashville, Chattanooga
Remote workers: Chattanooga, Knoxville
Families: Franklin, Kingsport, Murfreesboro
Budget-friendly: Johnson City, Kingsport, Jackson
Culture lovers: Nashville, Memphis
Quiet lifestyle: Bristol, Cookeville
Rent or Buy?
Many people relocating to Tennessee choose to rent first, explore neighborhoods, and then buy once they’re confident in their location.
Choosing the right city is the most important part of your move. Use this guide as your starting point, then explore city pages, rentals, and homes to take the next step.
