10 Best Places to Live in Tennessee for Families
- Murfreesboro
- Franklin
- Signal Mountain
- Mount Juliet
- Nashville
- Brentwood
- Nolensville
- Germantown
- Spring Hill
- Hendersonville
1. Murfreesboro
The best place to live in Tennessee for families is Murfreesboro. With affordable housing options, a good school system, and plenty of kid-friendly activities available, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is a great place to raise a family. It’s a quiet city located about 30 miles outside Nashville, which is great for commuters and those who want access to big city amenities. However, residents will still find plenty of fun things to do in Murfreesboro with kids, such as the Stones River National Battlefield, the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, or the GO USA Fun Park.
2. Franklin
Franklin is another one of the best places in Tennessee to raise a family, with scenic beauty, plenty of parks, and a low cost of living. Franklin is one of the fastest-growing cities in Tennessee, with 28% more residents in 2020 compared to 2010. Families are drawn to Franklin by its quaint southern charm and easy access to Nashville. Franklin is also one of the safest places to live in Tennessee.
The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, Marcella Vivrette Smith Park, and Fly Park all make great outings with the family, with sports courts, walking trails, and ample green space. Plus, you’ll find plenty of affordable housing options, from condos to townhomes.
3. Signal Mountain
Located just North of Chattanooga, Signal Mountain is a small suburban town offering a great place to raise a family. With a crime rate that is 71% lower than the national average (97% for violent crime), Signal Mountain is one of the safest towns in Tennessee. It’s also located in between the Tennessee River, Prentice Cooper State Forrest Trailhead, and North Chickamauga Creek State Nature Area, offering plenty of opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and fly-fishing. You’ll also find plenty of starter homes in the $200,000 to $300,000 range, making it one of the best places in Tennessee to raise a family.
4. Mount Juliet
Mount Juliet is another excellent place in Tennessee for families. The quaint suburb is just 17 miles east of downtown Nashville, offering a peaceful ambiance with access to big city amenities. The public schools in Mount Juliet rank among the best in the state, and the area is extremely safe, with a crime rate that is 55% below the national average. Plus, easy access to kid-friendly activities like Nashville Shores and the Nashville Zoo makes it a great place for families.
However, living in such a fantastic town can be expensive as Mount Juliet ranks as one of the richest cities in Tennessee.
5. Nashville
Nashville is the largest city in Tennessee, and the economic and cultural heart of the state. It's also one of the best places to live in Tennessee for families, with plenty of safe neighborhoods and a low cost of living for a bustling metropolis. Green Hills, Bellevue, and Belmont-Hillsboro are all great neighborhoods for raising a family, with low crime, quiet, treelined blocks, and good schools. With a median property value of $448,320, Nashville is relatively affordable for a major city and offers no shortage of family-friendly fun, from Centennial Park to the Grand Ol Opry.
Before moving to the city be sure you check out the safest neighborhoods in Nashville.
6. Brentwood
Brentwood is another amazing place in Tennessee to raise a family, with low crime, great schools, and an easy commute to Nashville. Often considered Nashville’s premier suburb, Brentwood is only 10 miles south of downtown. Yet, it’s also considered one of the safest cities in Tennessee, with a crime rate that is 59% lower than the national average. The Brentwood public schools are also ranked among the top in the state, and Brentwood High School ranks 5th in Tennessee and 301st in the country, according to US News and World Report.
7. Nolensville
Another one of the best places to raise a family in Tennessee is Nolensville, a small town located 23 miles from downtown Nashville. With a crime rate that is 83% lower than the national average, Nolensville is one of the safest towns in Tennessee. It offers a small-town southern charm with great local restaurants and community parks but easy access to the city. Plus, much of the community is zoned for the Williamson County School System, which ranks among the best in the state.
8. Germantown
Located southwest of Memphis, Germantown is also one of the best places to live in Tennessee for those searching for an affordable suburb with a high quality of life. Germantown is very safe and has a violent crime rate that is 63% lower than the rest of the US. It’s also surrounded by parks and recreation areas, including Shelby Farms Park, a 4,500-acre public park with biking and horse trails, playgrounds, and fishing lakes. Germantown is a tight-knit community with good schools and easy access to amenities, making it a perfect place to raise a family.
9. Spring Hill
Spring Hill is also one of the best places in Tennessee to live with kids, as it has affordable housing prices, lots of fun family-friendly activities, and low crime. Located 35 miles south of Nashville, Spring Hill is a quiet community with a crime rate that is 63% lower than the national average. Residents will find plenty of family-friendly activities in town at Fischer Park or the Longview Recreation Center, plus it’s a quick drive into Nashville for more fun. But with a median property value of $474,995, Spring Hill is fairly affordable for a prime Nashville suburb, making it an ideal place to raise a family.
10. Hendersonville
Situated on the banks of the Cumberland River 18 miles northeast of downtown Nashville, Hendersonville is another one of the best places to live in Tennessee for families. Considered one of the safest cities in Tennessee, Hendersonville has a crime rate that is 68% lower than the national average. It also boasts a top-notch educational system and plenty of nearby parks, beaches, and recreation areas. The cost of living in Hendersonville is also 9% lower than the national average, making it a safe, affordable suburb that is perfect for growing families.