The 10 Best Suburbs Near Nashville, Tennessee in 2027

1. Franklin 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Franklin

Franklin, about 21 miles south of downtown Nashville in Williamson County, is the metro's premier suburb and a consistent national "best places to live" pick. The median home price is roughly $750,000, and Williamson County Schools are the highest-rated district in Tennessee.

Downtown Franklin's restored 19th-century Main Street is a regional destination for dining, festivals, and music, and the Cool Springs corridor hosts major corporate offices. Commutes downtown run 30 to 45 minutes via I-65. It is best for families who want top schools, a genuine historic downtown, and a strong local job base.

2. Brentwood

Brentwood

Brentwood, about 12 miles south of Nashville in Williamson County, has a median home price near $1 million and is the metro's most affluent suburb, known for large estate lots and the same top-rated Williamson County schools.

Maryland Farms is a significant office park, and the city is quiet and almost entirely residential. Commutes downtown run 25 to 40 minutes. Brentwood suits high earners who want top schools, larger lots, and a short, leafy commute to the city.

3. Hendersonville 💎 BEST VALUE

Hendersonville

Hendersonville, about 18 miles northeast of Nashville in Sumner County, offers the best value here, with a median home price near $500,000 and extensive frontage on Old Hickory Lake. Sumner County Schools serve the area.

The lake gives residents boating, marinas, and waterfront homes at far lower prices than the Williamson County suburbs. Commutes downtown run 30 to 45 minutes via Vietnam Veterans Boulevard. For buyers who want lakefront living and solid schools at a moderate price, Hendersonville is the standout value.

4. Mount Juliet

Mount Juliet

Mount Juliet, about 17 miles east of Nashville in Wilson County, has a median home price near $550,000 and the metro's only commuter rail, the WeGo Star, running into downtown. Wilson County Schools are strongly rated.

Providence Marketplace anchors retail, and the city has grown quickly. Commutes downtown run 30 to 40 minutes, with rail an option. Mount Juliet suits families who want newer construction, good schools, and the metro's only train commute.

5. Nolensville

Nolensville

Nolensville, about 20 miles south of Nashville in Williamson County, has a median home price near $700,000 and a small historic downtown with rapid new-home growth. It shares the top-rated Williamson County schools.

Commutes downtown run 35 to 50 minutes. Nolensville is best for families who want the newest construction in the top school district and a small-town feel on the metro's south side.

6. Spring Hill

Spring Hill

Spring Hill, about 30 miles south of Nashville straddling Williamson and Maury counties, has a median home price near $520,000 and is anchored by a large General Motors assembly plant. Schools split between the two counties.

Commutes downtown run 45 to 60 minutes via I-65. Spring Hill suits buyers who want affordability, newer homes, and proximity to GM jobs, accepting a longer commute for the lower price.

7. Gallatin

Gallatin

Gallatin, about 30 miles northeast of Nashville in Sumner County, has a median home price near $480,000 and a historic town square plus Old Hickory Lake access. Sumner County Schools serve the area.

Commutes downtown run 40 to 55 minutes. Gallatin is best for buyers who want small-town character, lake recreation, and lower prices on the northeast side, with growth pushing new development.

8. Smyrna

Smyrna

Smyrna, about 25 miles southeast of Nashville in Rutherford County, has a median home price near $450,000, among the lowest here, and is home to a major Nissan assembly plant. Rutherford County Schools serve the area.

Commutes downtown run 35 to 50 minutes via I-24. Smyrna suits budget-focused buyers and Nissan employees who want affordability and a reasonable commute on the southeast corridor.

9. Thompson's Station

Thompson's Station

Thompson's Station, about 28 miles south of Nashville in Williamson County, has a median home price near $650,000 and large new master-planned communities with the top Williamson County schools. It retains a rural, low-density feel.

Commutes downtown run 40 to 55 minutes. Thompson's Station is best for families who want the newest homes and larger lots in the top school district, with a country setting.

10. Goodlettsville

Goodlettsville

Goodlettsville, about 14 miles north of Nashville straddling Davidson and Sumner counties, rounds out the list with a median home price near $450,000 and a convenient location just off I-65. Schools span two districts.

Commutes downtown run 20 to 35 minutes, among the shortest here. Goodlettsville suits buyers who want affordability and a short north-side commute close to the city.

How to Choose

• Prioritize schools and target Williamson County (Franklin, Brentwood, Nolensville), the top-rated district in Tennessee.
• Prioritize budget and Smyrna, Gallatin, and Goodlettsville offer the lowest medians here.
• Prioritize commute with Goodlettsville (north, short drive) or Mount Juliet, which has the metro's only commuter train.
• Prioritize the lake with Hendersonville and Gallatin, both on Old Hickory Lake.
• Prioritize jobs by matching to the plant: Spring Hill for GM, Smyrna for Nissan, or Franklin's Cool Springs for corporate offices.

Commute Realities: Traffic Patterns and Alternative Routes

While Nashville’s suburbs offer attractive lifestyles, the commute into downtown can test your patience. Franklin to downtown averages 35–55 minutes during peak hours via I-65, while Hendersonville commuters face 30–50 minutes on I-65 or Vietnam Veterans Boulevard. Brentwood is closest at 20–35 minutes, but its home prices reflect that convenience. For those working in the Cool Springs or Brentwood employment corridors (home to major employers like Tractor Supply, Community Health Systems, and HCA Healthcare), the reverse commute from many suburbs is actually shorter — often under 20 minutes. Some residents use the Music City Star commuter rail from Lebanon (a hidden gem suburb with median prices around $425,000), which runs weekdays to Riverfront Station in downtown Nashville. For suburban commuters, consider flexible work schedules: leaving by 6:30 a.m. or after 9 a.m. can shave 15–20 minutes off your drive. The Nashville MTA also operates express bus routes from select suburbs, including Brentwood and Franklin, though service frequency remains limited compared to larger metro areas.

School District Deep Dive: Beyond the Ratings

Williamson County Schools consistently rank among Tennessee’s best, with Franklin, Brentwood, and Nolensville all feeding into this district. Graduation rates hover around 95%, and average ACT scores sit at 23–25, well above state averages. However, this quality comes with trade-offs: class sizes average 22–25 students in elementary grades, and some schools operate on year-round modified calendars to manage enrollment growth. Rutherford County Schools (serving Murfreesboro and Smyrna) offer solid alternatives with more affordable housing, though average ACT scores are slightly lower at 20–22. Sumner County (Hendersonville, Gallatin) has been investing heavily in new facilities, with two high schools opening since 2022. For families considering private options, the Montgomery Bell Academy, Harpeth Hall, and Battle Ground Academy are within 15–20 minutes of most suburbs, with annual tuition ranging from $25,000 to $35,000. The Tennessee Education Savings Account program may provide some financial assistance for eligible families, though eligibility requirements change annually.

Emerging Suburbs on the Rise for 2027

Three suburbs are gaining momentum for 2027 that didn’t make the main list but deserve attention. Lebanon (Wilson County) offers the lowest median home prices among Nashville-adjacent suburbs at $425,000–$475,000, with a charming historic square and the Music City Star rail connection. Spring Hill (splitting Williamson and Maury counties) has seen explosive growth, with new subdivisions and a Costco opening in 2025, pushing its median to $550,000 — still below Franklin. White House (Robertson County) sits about 30 minutes north of downtown with median prices around $450,000 and good schools that aren’t yet discovered by most transplants. Each of these suburbs is adding retail and dining options rapidly, but still lack the established amenities of Franklin or Brentwood. For buyers willing to bet on future growth, these areas offer the best appreciation potential in the Nashville metro over the next 3–5 years.

FAQ

What is the best suburb near Nashville overall? Franklin is widely considered the top choice, with a median home price around $750,000, top-rated Williamson County schools, and a historic downtown with shops and restaurants. Its commute to downtown Nashville is roughly 30–40 minutes depending on traffic.

Which suburb offers the best value for families? Hendersonville stands out with a median home price near $500,000, lakefront access on Old Hickory Lake, and solid schools in Sumner County. It provides a lower cost of entry than Williamson County suburbs while still being about 25 minutes from Nashville.

Are there suburbs with strong schools but lower home prices? Yes, suburbs like Mount Juliet and Spring Hill offer good schools and median prices in the $550,000–$600,000 range. Both have growing amenities and commutes of 30–45 minutes to downtown.

How long is the typical commute from these suburbs to Nashville? Commute times vary from about 20 minutes (e.g., Berry Hill) to 45 minutes (e.g., Spring Hill or Nolensville) during peak hours. Traffic on I-65 and I-24 can add 10–20 minutes to drives.

Do these suburbs have good job opportunities locally? Many have their own employment hubs—Franklin and Brentwood host corporate offices, while Hendersonville and Mount Juliet have retail and healthcare jobs. However, most residents commute to Nashville for work.

What is the cost of living like in these suburbs compared to Nashville? Suburbs generally have slightly lower home prices than Nashville proper (median around $450,000–$750,000 vs. Nashville’s $400,000–$600,000 range). Property taxes are similar due to no state income tax, but utility and grocery costs are comparable.

Bottom Line

For the best overall combination of schools, downtown character, and jobs, Franklin leads the Nashville metro at a median near $750,000. For the best value, Hendersonville pairs lakefront living and solid schools with a median around $500,000.

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Sources

• Tennessee Department of Education school accountability data
• RealTracs MLS median price reports
• Niche.com "Best Suburbs of Nashville" rankings
• WeGo Public Transit (Star commuter rail) schedules
• City of Franklin and City of Hendersonville official sites
• U.S. News & World Report best high schools
• U.S. Census Bureau metro estimates

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