Suitably nicknamed “Music City,” Nashville, TN is known as the capital of country music, home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and famous concert venues like the Ryman Auditorium. With all that this Southern city has to offer, it’s no wonder that nearly 690K residents live in Nashville and many out-of-towners are moving in.
If you’re looking to rent an apartment or buy a home in Nashville, you may be wondering just how much it’s going to cost. Nashville’s median home sale price is $412K and the average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in Nashville is $2,745, which may or may not fit into your budget. As you figure out how much house you can afford, check out the 10 best affordable Nashville suburbs within driving distance of the city. That way you can make the right decision for your homebuying needs.
#1: La Vergne, TN
Median home price: $284,000
Driving distance from Nashville: 30 minutes
La Vergne, TN homes for sale
La Vergne, TN apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $284,000, almost $130K less than Nashville, La Vergne lands the number one spot on our list of best affordable Nashville suburbs. About 38,700 people live in this Nashville suburb, so plan a picnic at Veterans Memorial Park, a camping trip to Hurricane Creek, or explore the Poole Knobs Recreation Areas.
#2: Ashland City, TN (tie)
Median home price: $287,000
Driving distance from Nashville: 30 minutes
Ashland, TN homes for sale
Ashland, TN apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than La Vergne, Ashland City takes the second spot on our list with a median home sale price of $287K. About 30 minutes away from downtown Nashville, Ashland City has just over 5,000 residents, a perfect place for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday city life. Living in Ashland City, make sure to plan a kayaking trip along the Cumberland River and check out Riverbluff Park.
#2: White Bluff, TN (tie)
Median home price: $287,000
Driving distance from Nashville: 45 minutes
White Bluff, TN homes for sale
White Bluff, TN apartments for rent
Tying with Ashland City for the second spot and just west of Nashville is the suburb of White Bluff. Slightly further from Nashville than Ashland City, you’ll be at the Grand Ole Opry ready to watch a show in about 45 minutes. After moving to this suburb of 3,862 people, you can spend time learning about its history, enjoy some great BBQ and explore the Montgomery Bell Mountain Bike Trail
#4: Springfield, TN
Median home price: $290,000
Driving distance from Nashville: 45 minutes
Springfield, TN homes for sale
Springfield, TN apartments for rent
Springfield comes in as the fourth most affordable Nashville suburb, only slightly more expensive than the top three spots. With a population of 18,782, Springfield will give you a small town feel while being able to explore Nashville on the weekends. If you find yourself moving to Springfield, make sure to walk along the Springfield Greenway trail.
#5: Smyrna, TN
Median home price: $324,000
Driving distance from Nashville: 35 minutes
Smyrna, TN homes for sale
Smyrna, TN apartments for rent
Drive 35 minutes southeast of Nashville and you’ll find yourself in the suburb of Smyrna. Home to 55,663 residents, this affordable town can be a great choice for homeowners looking to remain close to Nashville without paying the premium for city life. In Smyrna, make sure to check out the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center for a swim during the summer and the Smyrna History Museum to learn about the city’s history.
#6: Goodlettsville, TN
Median home price: $338,000
Driving distance from Nashville: 20 minutes
Goodlettsville, TN homes for sale
Goodlettsville, TN apartments for rent
A recognizable suburb of Nashville is Goodlettsville, where the home prices are almost $75K less than Nashville. With roughly 17,800 people calling Goodlettsville home, consider adding this affordable suburb to your list of places to consider. With Moss-Wright Park and the Historic Mansker’s Station, you’ll have easy access to what makes Goodlettsville unique.
#7: White House, TN
Median home price: $361,000
Driving distance from Nashville: 30 minutes
White House, TN homes for sale
White House, TN apartments for rent
Claiming the seventh spot on our list of affordable Nashville suburbs is White House, which is roughly 30 minutes away from the heart of Nashville. With a population of 12,982, buying a home in White House will give you a small town feel with plenty of nature surrounding the town. After moving to this Nashville suburb, make sure to visit White House Public Library to pick up a new book or bike along the Veteran’s Memorial trailhead.
#8: Gallatin, TN
Median home price: $366,000
Driving distance from Nashville: 40 minutes
Gallatin, TN homes for sale
Gallatin, TN apartments for rent
Gallatin, Tennessee is a great suburb to consider moving to with access to downtown Nashville in just about 40 minutes – as long as you don’t hit traffic. About 44,500 people live in this affordable suburban town and you’ll be surrounded by areas to explore in your free time. Fun activities to do in Gallatin include exploring Bledsoe Creek State Park and Nat Caldwell Park or taking a tour of Rose Mont, a Greek Revival style home.
#9: Lebanon, TN
Median home price: $370,000
Driving distance from Nashville: 35 minutes
Lebanon, TN homes for sale
Lebanon, TN apartments for rent
If you’ve lived in Nashville for a while, chances are you know of someone who has moved to Lebanon. About 38,500 residents call this affordable city home, so you’ll have a fraction of Nashville’s population while being a 35 minute drive away from Nashville and its attractions. Make sure to explore Don Fox Community Park and visit the Cumberland University campus once you move to Lebanon.
#10: Greenbrier, TN
Median home price: $427,000
Driving distance from Nashville: 30 minutes
Greenbrier, TN homes for sale
Greenbrier, TN apartments for rent
Last but not least on our list of affordable Nashville suburbs, is Greenbrier. Without traffic, you’ll find yourself in Nashville in roughly 30 minutes. This suburb has a population of 6,898, making it much less than Nashville’s population. While home prices are more expensive than Nashville, we’ve kept Greenbrier on our list as you can find sprawling homes on multiple acres. Home to Greenbrier Lake and the Oak Hills Golf Course, you’ll have plenty of outdoor activities to do during your free time.
Methodology:
Affordability based on whether a suburb is less than the median sale price of Nashville and under a 45 minute drive from downtown Nashville. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during December 2021. Average rental data from Rent.com May 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.
