Quick answer
Kentucky is the lower-cost option on housing: the median home value across the app's top-scoring places is $221,400 versus $446,800. Tennessee shows +2.2% population change and Kentucky +0.6%. Neither is "better" for everyone — the right answer depends on your income, job, commute and the exact county you choose.
| Metric | Tennessee | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $446,800 | $221,400 |
| Median rent | $1,726/mo | $1,049/mo |
| Household income | $111,424 | $67,573 |
| Population change | +2.2% | +0.6% |
| Violent crime / 100k (state) | 499 | 214 |
| Home value ÷ income | 4.0× | 3.3× |
| State wage income tax | None | Yes |
Tennessee in numbers
Median home value
$446,800
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,726/mo
Household income
$111,424
Violent crime / 100k
499
Tennessee, 2025
Population change
+2.2%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+11.0%
State wage income tax
None
Home value ÷ income
4.0×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Hill, TN | 81 | $452,400 | $1,738 | $106,658 | +4.4% |
| Farragut, TN | 79 | $513,100 | $1,691 | $142,402 | +2.2% |
| Mount Juliet, TN | 71 | $423,000 | $1,875 | $107,847 | +3.3% |
| Germantown, TN | 67 | $441,200 | $1,760 | $144,799 | -0.7% |
| Franklin, TN | 66 | $646,300 | $1,861 | $115,000 | +2.3% |
| Brentwood, TN | 63 | $926,700 | $2,497 | $184,720 | +1.0% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loudon County | 78 | $292,600 | $995 | $80,296 | +2.7% |
| Van Buren County | 75 | $149,200 | $705 | $60,281 | +1.8% |
| Williamson County | 75 | $673,700 | $1,895 | $131,202 | +2.3% |
| Sumner County | 72 | $364,000 | $1,339 | $86,005 | +1.9% |
| Wilson County | 72 | $397,000 | $1,370 | $94,048 | +3.0% |
| Maury County | 68 | $307,500 | $1,206 | $74,162 | +2.8% |
Kentucky in numbers
Median home value
$221,400
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,049/mo
Household income
$67,573
Violent crime / 100k
214
Kentucky, 2025
Population change
+0.6%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+9.0%
State wage income tax
Yes
Home value ÷ income
3.3×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence, KY | 88 | $240,500 | $1,204 | $98,653 | +1.1% |
| Georgetown, KY | 75 | $244,200 | $1,199 | $78,373 | +1.9% |
| Florence, KY | 72 | $196,200 | $1,199 | $68,508 | +0.9% |
| Jeffersontown, KY | 72 | $236,800 | $1,253 | $78,185 | +0.7% |
| Covington, KY | 62 | $167,900 | $949 | $58,814 | -0.1% |
| Nicholasville, KY | 60 | $210,700 | $996 | $67,514 | +0.9% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson County | 74 | $213,200 | $870 | $71,747 | +1.1% |
| Bath County | 72 | $111,800 | $600 | $54,128 | +0.6% |
| Morgan County | 72 | $106,000 | $670 | $47,493 | +0.7% |
| Boone County | 71 | $253,200 | $1,253 | $94,752 | +1.1% |
| Hancock County | 68 | $137,600 | $752 | $66,836 | -0.3% |
| Lyon County | 67 | $183,600 | $809 | $64,464 | +1.3% |
Verdict factors to check before you decide
- 1Price the whole address: taxes, insurance, utilities and HOA, not just the listing.
- 2Confirm the exact city, county and school assignment for the address.
- 3Drive the commute at the hours you will actually travel.
- 4Check flood, heat and storm exposure on official maps.
- 5Compare crime at the jurisdiction level, then visit at night.
Frequently asked questions
Tennessee vs. Kentucky: Where Should You Live in 2027?
Kentucky is the lower-cost option on housing: the median home value across the app's top-scoring places is $221,400 versus $446,800. Tennessee shows +2.2% population change and Kentucky +0.6%. Neither is "better" for everyone — the right answer depends on your income, job, commute and the exact county you choose.
What are the best places to live in Tennessee?
In the Smart Movers Club app, the top-scoring Tennessee cities are Spring Hill, Farragut, Mount Juliet, Germantown, Franklin, and the top counties are Loudon County, Van Buren County, Williamson County, Sumner County. Scores combine income, housing, growth, employment and education.
Does Tennessee have a state income tax?
Tennessee does not tax wage income at the state level. Property, sales and other local taxes still apply, so compare the full cost.
Where does this data come from?
Figures come from the Smart Movers Club app, which compiles U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates and FBI state crime rates. Census figures are survey estimates, not live listing prices.
