Best Cities Near Memphis for Young Professionals Who Need More Space

Plenty of young professionals in Memphis reach the point where a one-bedroom apartment no longer works: you need a home office, a yard for the dog, or a second bedroom for a partner moving in. The good news is that the best cities near Memphis for young professionals are close enough to keep your job, friends and weekend plans in the city. Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, Lakeland, Arlington and Millington in Shelby County, plus Southaven and Olive Branch in Mississippi, all sit within a typical Memphis commute. This guide compares them with current Census data, and if you decide to make the jump, Spyder Moving and Storage TN can move you from our Memphis office.

Why are young professionals looking outside of Memphis?

The main reason is space for the money. In parts of Midtown and Downtown Memphis, a bigger apartment or a house with a yard costs more than many young renters want to pay, and street parking can be hard to find. Hybrid and remote work changed the math too: if you only go to the office two or three days a week, a slightly longer drive in exchange for an extra room makes sense. The suburbs below give you that room while keeping Memphis restaurants, venues and jobs within reach. If you are still hunting for work, start with our list of the best TN cities for job seekers.

What to look for in a city near Memphis

Before choosing, weigh a few factors against each other:

• Commute: how often you go to the office and which highway gets you there.
• Housing cost: median home values and rents differ by more than $250,000 and $1,000 a month across the metro.
• Taxes: Tennessee does not tax wages; Mississippi does.
• Daily life: parks, gyms, grocery stores, restaurants and reliable internet for working from home.

These are the same factors that matter on a longer relocation, for example if you’re also considering moving from Memphis to Nashville.

How do the cities near Memphis compare?

The table uses U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts data. Home values, rents and commute times are 2020–2024 American Community Survey estimates; the commute is residents’ average travel time to work, wherever they work.

Cordova is not in the table because it is a community on Memphis’s east side, not a separate city, so the Census counts it as part of Memphis.

What are the best cities near Memphis for young professionals?

Each of these places trades a bit of commute for more space. Here’s who each one suits best.

Cordova

Cordova is the easiest step out of central Memphis because, technically, you never leave the city. It sits on the east side near Shelby Farms Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, and has a mix of apartment complexes, rental homes and subdivisions. Rents and home prices generally run below Germantown and Collierville, and you’ll get more space for the money than in Midtown. Access to I-40 and Germantown Parkway makes it practical for commuting in almost any direction. Spyder’s Cordova movers can handle a move from a Midtown or Downtown apartment into this part of the city.

Collierville

Collierville offers larger homes and a genuine small-town center: the historic Town Square, with shops, restaurants and events, is the heart of the community. It’s one of the priciest options here, with a median home value of $485,900, but buyers value its stability and its own municipal school district. The drive into Memphis runs along Poplar Avenue, US-72 or TN-385, which works well for hybrid workers who don’t need to be downtown daily. Spyder’s Collierville movers can help when you’re ready. Already renting in Cordova? This Cordova to Collierville moving guide explains what changes on that short move, from housing to daily routines.

Germantown

Germantown suits professionals in healthcare, finance and corporate roles who want a quiet, established suburb next to East Memphis. Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital and the office corridor along Poplar Avenue are close by, and 71.9% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The city says it consistently has one of the lowest crime rates in Tennessee. The trade-off is cost: the median home value is $470,800 and median rent is $1,816. It’s a good choice if you’re ready to invest in a long-term home. Spyder’s Germantown movers can help with the relocation.

Bartlett

Bartlett is the best balance of price and convenience in Shelby County. Located northeast of Memphis, it connects to the city by US-64 and I-40, and its median home value of $310,400 and median rent of $1,638 sit well below Germantown and Collierville. That makes it a good fit for singles or couples who want a house and a yard without stretching the budget. Shopping centers, gyms and parks are spread across the city, and Bartlett runs its own school district. If you’re planning a move here, Memphis movers and packers from Spyder or our Bartlett moving team can make it simple.

Lakeland

Lakeland, east of Memphis along I-40, is a quieter, newer suburb with planned communities and recently built homes. It has grown from 13,904 residents in 2020 to an estimated 14,422 in 2025, and its median home value of $388,900 places it between Bartlett and Germantown. It suits professionals who want a relaxed setting and don’t mind a slightly longer drive, about 25.7 minutes on average. Residential movers from Memphis can help you settle into Lakeland, and Spyder’s Lakeland movers know the area well.

Arlington

Arlington is a smaller town northeast of Memphis that keeps growing, from 14,549 residents in 2020 to an estimated 15,703 in 2025. Despite its small-town feel, it isn’t a budget option: its median rent of $2,164 is the highest in this comparison and the median home value is $424,400, driven by newer, larger houses. Residents also have the longest average commute here, 27.3 minutes, so it works best for remote workers or people who don’t need to be in Memphis every day. Read our pros and cons of living in Arlington TN before you decide.

Southaven, MS

Southaven sits just across the Mississippi state line on I-55, and it is one of the more affordable options, with a median home value of $236,300 and median rent of $1,445. It has plenty of restaurants, retail and entertainment, and newer neighborhoods with larger homes and apartment complexes. One thing to factor in: Mississippi taxes income, at 4% of taxable income above $10,000 for the 2026 tax year, while Tennessee doesn’t tax wages. If you live in Southaven and work in Memphis, that cost comes with the cheaper house. Spyder’s Southaven movers can take care of the move across the state line.

Olive Branch, MS

Olive Branch is one of the fastest-growing cities in this comparison, up from 39,711 residents in 2020 to an estimated 47,563 in 2025. It lies southeast of Memphis along US-78, next to Southaven, with a quieter, more residential feel and a median home value of $290,000. The same Mississippi income tax applies. Olive Branch works well for professionals who want a newer home in a calm area with an easy drive to Memphis and the airport. Spyder’s Olive Branch movers can help you get there.

Millington

Millington, north of Memphis on US-51, mixes suburban and rural living. It is home to the Navy’s Naval Support Activity Mid-South, and it’s the most affordable city in this comparison, with a median home value of $207,300 and median rent of $1,111. Millington’s area attractions lean toward the outdoors, including Shelby Forest nearby, and you’ll find more land and privacy for the price. It suits budget-conscious professionals who want space and quiet. Spyder’s Millington movers can help you relocate.

What are the best neighborhoods in Memphis for young professionals?

If you’d rather stay in the city, a few Memphis neighborhoods consistently attract young professionals:

• Downtown and South Main: loft apartments, the riverfront, Beale Street and the trolley, within walking distance of many offices.
• Harbor Town: a planned neighborhood on Mud Island with river views and a quick drive downtown.
• Midtown: Cooper-Young and Overton Square offer bars, restaurants, theaters and older homes and duplexes with character.
• Crosstown: built around Crosstown Concourse, a mixed-use building with apartments, offices and food.
• East Memphis: quieter streets and larger homes near the Poplar Avenue office corridor.

For a family-oriented view of the same city, see our guide to the best Memphis neighborhoods for families.

How long is the commute from the suburbs to Memphis?

According to the Census Bureau, residents of these cities average roughly 21 to 27 minutes to work, compared with about 21 minutes for Memphis residents. Millington (20.8 minutes) and Germantown (22.1) have the shortest averages, while Arlington (27.3) and Lakeland (25.7) have the longest. The real number depends on where you work and when you drive: a downtown office means a longer trip from Collierville or Arlington than from Germantown or Cordova, and rush hour on I-40, I-240, I-55 and Poplar Avenue adds time. Before you sign a lease, drive the route at the hour you’d actually commute. Retirees looking at the same suburbs can read about living in Bartlett vs Cordova from a senior’s point of view.

Nightlife and dining access outside Memphis

Memphis still has the biggest selection of bars, restaurants and music venues, but the suburbs have their own. Collierville’s Town Square has restaurants and events, Germantown has a strong dining scene along Poplar Avenue, and Southaven offers both chain and independent restaurants. Cordova and Bartlett have plenty of casual spots. For a night out in Midtown or on Beale Street, none of these cities is far enough to stop you.

Remote work considerations

Working from home makes internet service as important as square footage. Providers and speeds vary street by street, so check a specific address on the FCC National Broadband Map before you commit. Look for homes with a spare bedroom or flexible layout for an office, and if you prefer to work outside the house now and then, public libraries in Germantown, Collierville and Bartlett offer quiet space.

How should you plan a move to a city near Memphis?

Once you’ve picked a suburb, a few steps keep the move simple:

1. Time the move around your lease end and work schedule; midweek dates are usually easier to book.
2. Measure the new place and decide what new furniture or storage you’ll need when going from an apartment to a house.
3. Book affordable movers from Memphis TN early, especially for summer and month-end dates.
4. Set up utilities and update your address with the USPS; if you move to Mississippi, plan to get a Mississippi driver’s license and plates.
5. Once you’re in, explore local parks, stores and restaurants so the new city feels like home faster.

For more budget ideas, see our list of budget-friendly suburbs in Memphis.

Which city near Memphis is right for you?

Choose Millington or Southaven if price matters most, Bartlett for the best balance, Germantown or Collierville for established neighborhoods, and Lakeland, Arlington or Olive Branch for newer homes. Each of these cities near Memphis for young professionals gives you more room without giving up the city. When you’re ready, Spyder Moving and Storage can move you from our Memphis office at 3290 New Getwell Rd with our own crews and trucks. Call 901-329-9064 or get a free estimate for your move.