Best places to live in Tennessee

All 3, ranked

1. 

   1

   Chattanooga

   Score 90 of 100

   Median home

   $395,000

   Per month

   $2,171

   Prices

   9% cheaper

   • Prices 9% below the US average
   • Homes list 6% below the US median
   • Mild winters

   Trade-offHot summers. July highs average 90.5°F.

   Cost of living in ChattanoogaChattanooga vs KnoxvilleChattanooga vs Asheville

   The numbers behind it↓

   • Prices 9% below the US average. Everyday prices, rent included, index at 91.5 against a US average of 100. (BEA regional price parities, 2024)
   • Homes list 6% below the US median. $395,000 median listing against $419,250 nationally. (Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026)
   • Mild winters. January lows average 32.4°F with 3.6 inches of snow a year. (NOAA 1991-2020 normals)
   • Hot summers. July highs average 90.5°F. (NOAA 1991-2020 normals)

   Price level 91.5 (US average = 100).

   Home price: Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026. Price level: BEA, 2024.

2. 

   2

   Knoxville

   Score 45 of 100

   Median home

   $447,000

   Per month

   $2,456

   Prices

   7% cheaper

   • Prices 7% below the US average
   • Mild winters
   • Nonstop flights to New York

   Trade-offHomes list 7% above the US median. $447,000 median listing against $419,250 nationally.

   Cost of living in KnoxvilleKnoxville vs ChattanoogaKnoxville vs Nashville

   The numbers behind it↓

   • Prices 7% below the US average. Everyday prices, rent included, index at 92.6 against a US average of 100. (BEA regional price parities, 2024)
   • Mild winters. January lows average 30°F with 4.6 inches of snow a year. (NOAA 1991-2020 normals)
   • Nonstop flights to New York. From TYS to LGA, EWR. (Airport route page, accessed October 14, 2026)
   • Homes list 7% above the US median. $447,000 median listing against $419,250 nationally. (Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026)

   Price level 92.6 (US average = 100).

   Home price: Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026. Price level: BEA, 2024.

3. 

   3

   Nashville

   Score 21 of 100

   Median home

   $533,995

   Per month

   $2,935

   Prices

   4% cheaper

   • Prices 4% below the US average
   • Mild winters
   • Nonstop flights to New York

   Trade-offHomes list 27% above the US median. $533,995 median listing against $419,250 nationally.

   Cost of living in NashvilleNashville vs CharlotteNashville vs Austin

   The numbers behind it↓

   • Prices 4% below the US average. Everyday prices, rent included, index at 96.3 against a US average of 100. (BEA regional price parities, 2024)
   • Mild winters. January lows average 30.1°F with 4.7 inches of snow a year. (NOAA 1991-2020 normals)
   • Nonstop flights to New York. From BNA to JFK, LGA, EWR. (Airport route page, October 2026)
   • Homes list 27% above the US median. $533,995 median listing against $419,250 nationally. (Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026)

   Price level 96.3 (US average = 100).

   Home price: Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026. Price level: BEA, 2024.

How we ranked them

1. Lower home prices40%Lowest median listing in the state gets full points, the highest gets none. Source: Realtor.com via FRED.
2. More space for the money (price per square foot)20%Lowest price per square foot gets full points, the highest gets none. Source: Realtor.com via FRED.
3. Milder winters (January low)20%Warmest January low gets full points, the coldest gets none. Source: NOAA 1991-2020 normals.
4. Nonstop flights to New York10%Full points for a year-round nonstop to New York. Seasonal, none or no figure scores zero. Source: Airport route pages.
5. More people moving in than leaving10%Full points if more people moved in from other US metros than left, July 2024 to July 2025. Source: US Census Bureau, Vintage 2025.

Points on each measure run from none to full, then the weights above add up to a score out of 100. A city with no figure for home price, price per square foot or January low gets half points on that measure. No flight or migration figure scores zero.

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