Top Tennessee Cities in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Places to Live Ranking

The latest U.S. News and World Report rankings for the best places to live in the United States have been released, and while Tennessee cities may not have cracked the top 25, several Volunteer State cities made it into the top 150.

Chattanooga was the highest-ranking Tennessee city on the list, coming in at number 27. The city was praised for its revitalized Main Street, outdoor recreation opportunities, and thriving startup scene. Knoxville followed closely behind at number 29, with its affordability, amenities, and proximity to larger metro areas like Nashville and Atlanta earning it high marks.

Nashville, known as the Music City, landed at number 50 on the list. The city’s vibrant food and music scene, along with a growing job market, helped it secure a spot in the top 50. However, affordability compared to other cities on the list was a factor that knocked Nashville down a few spots.

Memphis rounded out the Tennessee cities on the list, coming in at 122 overall. Despite a low quality of life score, Memphis was noted for being an affordable place to live with a close-knit community feel.

To determine the rankings, U.S. News and World Report considered factors such as value, desirability, job market strength, and quality of life. For more information on the methodology behind the rankings, readers can visit the Best Places to Live section on the U.S. News and World Report website.