Get to Know the Nashville Suburbs

Want to live in one of the nation’s top cities? Ranked fifth, Nashville continues to be a hot place to live. The country music heritage and entertainment scene of “Music City” tend to be what it’s known for, but Nashville living is more than guitars and rhinestones. This dynamic metropolis has a booming economy diversified with tech jobs, education, health care, and transportation. 

The thing is, people have caught on to how fun it is to live in Nashville. What used to be an affordable southern city is now facing record-breaking housing appreciation and a consistently “hot” housing market over the last few years. Translation: higher housing prices and cost of living. 

People commonly turn to the suburbs, hoping for a more pocketbook-friendly lifestyle. Is that what you’ll find in the Nashville metro? Come find out in our look at the top Nashville suburbs.  

Brentwood

Population: 45,500

July 2023 Median Home Price: $1,100,000

Brentwood is synonymous with luxury and sophistication. Locals know this affluent suburb just 15 minutes south of Nashville for its upscale homes in the rolling landscapes and farmlands. Celebrities like Taylor Swift and Keith Urban have owned real estate here.  

Perhaps the biggest attractor outside its custom-designed estates is Brentwood’s top-rated schools. Williamson County is among the best school districts in the state, and Brentwood’s schools are at the top of that list. 

The community also strongly emphasizes preserving its natural beauty, with 860 acres of parks, recreational facilities for sports and equestrian activities, and golf clubs. Besides strong schools and outdoor recreation, residents have more needs met with the high-end shopping and dining experiences at Brentwood Town Center. 

Nolensville

Population: 15,500

Median Home Price: $872,000

Drive past Brentwood south of Nashville, and you’ll wind up in Nolensville, an old Tennessee farm town undergoing a construction boom. More people are moving into this historic outpost, as evidenced by the new construction communities, stores, and restaurants popping up around town. The result is almost two downtowns, one the historic area with an old country market and funky antique shops, and the other a newer development with breweries and burger joints. 

Nolensville is part of the Williamson County School District. The town also has a park with recreation fields, a splash pad, and picnic areas. But overall, it’s still a small town with not much infrastructure. People are coming here because it’s more affordable than some other areas in Williamson County, has homes with acreage, and has a half-hour commute into downtown Nashville.

Franklin

Population: 85,500

July 2023 Median Home Price: $760,000

Another south of Nashville suburb, Franklin charmingly blends historic preservation and modern development. The city’s award-winning historic downtown is a hub of unique boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants, all set against 19th-century preserved architecture. With its refreshingly small-town vibe, it’s hard to believe you are just a half-hour from downtown Nashville.

Franklin is proud of its history, not just its purposefully saving its downtown core. Around the town are historic markers, several Civil War sites, and museums. Franklin has found a way to preserve its sites while embracing the present. The result is a bustling community, starting with its packed festivals and events calendar. It follows through with great local dining, which has attracted a few of Nashville’s iconic chains to have outposts here, like Frothy Monkey and 55 South. 

Add to that the Williamson County School District, two golf courses, six large parks, entertainment centers, a Whole Foods, and I-65 access…clearly Franklin is a popular Nashville suburb for a reason.

Spring Hill

Population: 53,000

Median Home Price: $550,000

Spring Hill still has the top-rated schools you’d expect from Williamson County living while still preserving its small-town roots. But Spring Hill is changing rapidly, with new construction evident everywhere in 2023. Spring Hill has earned a reputation as one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the Nashville area. South of Franklin, it mixes modern developments and open green spaces. 

As businesses continue to establish themselves, Spring Hill’s economic prospects are on the rise, making it an attractive destination for both families and professionals. Easy interstate access for commuting to Brentwood or Nashville adds to its attractiveness.

La Vergne

Population: 39,000

Median Home Price: $376,000

Another southern suburb, one of La Vergne’s defining features is its accessibility. Thanks to its major transportation routes, including Interstate 24, Nashville’s urban amenities are accessible in about 30 minutes. But by being further out and southeast, its residents can enjoy a quieter suburban lifestyle. Bonus: parts of the town jut into Percy Priest Lake, making La Vergne a waterfront living option.

The town falls into Rutherford County, but its schools aren’t as well ranked as in Murfreesboro or next-door Williamson County. Economically, it carries a reputation as an industrial and transportation center. La Vergne is a worldwide leader in shipping books and has an Amazon distribution hub.

In another perk, its property tax rate and housing market tend to be more affordable than its neighboring counties and cities. 

Murfreesboro

Population: 157,500

Median Home Price: $408,000

Murfreesboro is about as far south as you can get in the Nashville metro, but this city stands on its own two feet. As the Rutherford County county seat and one of the fastest-growing cities in the state, Murfreesboro’s growth is underpinned by having Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Like La Vergne, it has a long history as a manufacturing center and has access to Percy Priest Lake on its southern end.

The city captures the essence of a modern Southern city with a deep-rooted connection to its past. The historic downtown has that classic Southern main street of local restaurants, art galleries, and one-of-a-kind retailers. But big retailers like Publix SuperMarkets, Kroger, and Costco are off the main highways. An extensive network of trails encourages people to go outside for walking or biking. 

Murfreesboro is large enough to support unique entertainment attractions like the kid-focused Discovery Center, a massive soccer complex, and a rock climbing gym. Hop Springs Beer Park has three distinct breweries and a performance venue outside town. A Civil War battlefield, now a national monument, is in its northeast corner.

Families should know two school systems serve the city, with its local district for K-8 students being a top performer in the state.

Mount Juliet

Population: 41,000

Median Home Price: $595,000

Conveniently east of Nashville off I-40, Mount Juliet balances small-town charm and modern living. Known as the “City Between the Lakes,” locals are minutes from day-use areas along Percy Priest Lake to the southwest and launch points on Old Hickory Lake to the north. This in-between location gives residents abundant access to hiking, fishing, and boating activities. 

Despite its relatively small size, Mount Juliet has experienced significant growth. Providence Marketplace is an example of that growth, with its specialty stores and restaurants akin to a big-city shopping experience. But it still has its small-town vibes, with a weekend farmer’s market, the annual Wilson County Fair, and the outdoor concerts at Charlie Daniels Park. As a highly suburban area, there are fewer parks in town, but given how close Mount Juliet is to other larger parks, you won’t be missing out.

Hendersonville

Population: 62,000

July 2023 Median Home Price: $535,000

For those seeking a lakeside lifestyle, Hendersonville is a great choice. This serene escape 25 minutes northeast of Nashville sprawls along Old Hickory Lake at a sharp bend, creating two long waterfront peninsulas. Some residents have private docks out of their backyard for prime access to boating, fishing, and water recreation whenever they want. For others, there are public boat launches and marinas for water access. 

Hendersonville adds to its perks with an excellent school system and safe neighborhoods. While it has a local country club, medical center, and shopping plazas, proximity to Nashville ensures easy access to the local entertainment amenities. That’s why it’s another top spot music names and celebrities have bought a home, like Kelly Clarkson.

Gallatin

Population: 47,000

Median Home Price: $495,300

Want to be a little more rural? Keep driving through Hendersonville to Gallatin, which checks off lake access while slightly out of the way. At 35 minutes from Nashville, its housing is somewhat more affordable. It promotes a patriotic character, a brick-fronted downtown resplendent with murals, and a historic silent movie theater.

Around Gallatin are golf courses, a mountain bike course at Lock 4 Park, and lakefront marinas for water access. Vol State Community College has been here for over a century, and its beautiful brick buildings add to the southern charm. Downtown is a historic village square where the town hosts its live music events, street fairs, and farmer’s markets. 

Kingston Springs

Population: 2,810

Median home price: $497,200

One of the few suburbs west of Nashville, quiet Kingston Springs is on the other side of highly affluent neighborhoods like Belle Meade and Bellevue in Cheatham County. Housing mixes farmhouse homes and cozy cottages, some with dozens of acres of land and some in its quiet downtown. This epitomizes Southern small-town living, but Nashville is an easy drive east on I-40.

It’s one of the smallest towns on our list. It may have only 23 acres of park space, but it’s also home to the Golf Club of Tennessee and lies next to the Harpeth River. People know Kingston Springs as a place for adventure, thanks to its zip-line courses and canoeing facilities.

The city has a soccer league and a disc golf course for families. Visit the bi-monthly farmer’s market or check out the Artisans Market held every October.  

Life in the Nashville suburbs

As you can see, Nashville’s suburbs aren’t exactly more affordable than living in the city, but that’s because their charms make them equally desirable. You may be drawn to Brentwood’s elegance or Hendersonville’s lakeside tranquility. There’s a Nashville suburb that’s sure to strike the right chord with you. Check out what homes are available today around Nashville, Tennessee.