Last updated 2026-06-12 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
No state income tax, southern food, and the fastest growth in the Southeast.
1. Nashville: Best overall
2. Knoxville: Best value
3. Chattanooga: Best for outdoors
4. Memphis: Best for culture
5. Franklin: Best for families
6. Murfreesboro: Best growth pick
7. Johnson City: Best small city
8. Brentwood: Best upscale suburb
9. Clarksville: Best for affordability
10. Maryville: Best small town
Tennessee combines no state income tax, a low cost of living, and a culture built on music and food. Nashville gets the headlines, but the value can be even better in Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the smaller cities. Here are the 10 best places to live in Tennessee, ranked.