Top Cities and Towns for an Ideal Retirement in Tennessee

Tennessee is one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees: it has no state tax on wages, Social Security, pensions or IRA and 401(k) withdrawals, and the last tax on interest and dividends ended in 2021. Add four real seasons, a cost of living below the national average and strong regional hospitals, and it is easy to see why so many people choose to retire here. The best towns differ a lot, though – a Memphis suburb, a Smoky Mountain gateway and a golf community on the Cumberland Plateau offer very different days. This guide, updated for 2026, compares 14 cities and towns and explains the tax rules, senior property tax relief and healthcare you should check before you move. When you are ready, Spyder Moving and Storage TN can handle the move from near or far.

Why choose retirement in Tennessee?

Three things put Tennessee on most retirees’ shortlists: taxes, cost of living and variety. The state has no broad personal income tax, so your Social Security check and pension arrive without a state cut. Living costs sit below the U.S. average, with housing the biggest saving. And the scenery changes from the Mississippi River bluffs in Memphis to the Great Smoky Mountains in the east, with mild winters compared with the Midwest and Northeast.

The trade-off is a higher sales tax, and property tax and hospital access vary a lot by county. That is why it pays to compare towns, not just the state. If you are moving out of a long-time family home, plan the logistics early, too – packing services in Memphis TN and other professional help can take the heaviest work off your hands.

The table below gives a quick overview of the towns in this guide: where they are, the main hospital in or near each one, and whether the local government offers the senior property tax freeze (2026 income limits from the Tennessee Comptroller).

What are the best towns to retire in Tennessee?

There is no single best city in Tennessee to retire – the right choice depends on whether you want big-city hospitals, a small-town square, golf or mountain trails. The 14 places below are grouped roughly from west to east, starting with Memphis and its suburbs, where Spyder Moving and Storage has its Tennessee office.

Memphis

Memphis suits retirees who want culture and serious medical care in the same place. The city is known for its music history, barbecue and Beale Street, and it is the hospital hub of the Mid-South, with Regional One Health, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis and Methodist University Hospital all inside the city. Shelby County and the City of Memphis both take part in the senior property tax freeze. If you are considering the city, this look at why Memphis works for an elderly couple goes into more detail, and Spyder’s Memphis movers, based at 3290 New Getwell Rd, can help with the move itself.

Cordova

Cordova is a quiet, mostly residential area on the eastern edge of Memphis. Retirees like it because it feels suburban but sits close to East Memphis shopping, Shelby Farms Park and Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis. Seniors comparing the eastern suburbs can read how Bartlett and Cordova compare for seniors. If you decide on Cordova, movers from Cordova TN can help you settle in.

Collierville

Collierville combines small-town charm with modern conveniences. Its historic Town Square is lined with shops and cafes and hosts festivals and markets through the year, which makes it easy to meet neighbors. Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville on West Poplar Avenue provides emergency and inpatient care in town, so you don’t have to drive into Memphis for most needs. Both Shelby County and the Town of Collierville offer the senior tax freeze. If you are thinking about moving here, movers in Collierville TN can help you get settled.

Germantown

Germantown offers well-kept neighborhoods, an extensive park system, golf and the Germantown Performing Arts Center, all supporting an active, relaxed lifestyle. Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital on Poplar Avenue is right in the city. One detail to know: Shelby County’s tax freeze applies to the county part of your bill, but the City of Germantown is not on the Comptroller’s list of participating cities. If you are considering Germantown, movers from Germantown TN can help you with the process.

Franklin

Franklin, in Williamson County south of Nashville, blends Civil War history with a busy, walkable downtown. The 1864 Battle of Franklin sites, including the Carter House and Carnton, draw history lovers, while Main Street events keep the community lively. Williamson Medical Center on Carothers Parkway is the main local hospital. Williamson County housing is among the priciest in Tennessee, so Franklin fits retirees with a larger budget. Williamson County offers the tax freeze with a 2026 income limit of $69,150; the City of Franklin is not listed as participating.

Brentwood

Brentwood borders Nashville to the south, so it is peaceful but still minutes from the city’s restaurants, concerts and specialists. Retirees who need ongoing specialist care often value the short drive to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Williamson Medical Center in Franklin is also nearby. Brentwood’s neighborhoods are quiet and spread out, with a large network of parks and greenways. Like Franklin, it is a higher-cost suburb, and the tax freeze applies to the Williamson County portion of the bill.

Oak Ridge

Oak Ridge was built as a secret city for the Manhattan Project, and that history is now part of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. The American Museum of Science and Energy and the presence of Oak Ridge National Laboratory make it a natural fit for retirees who like to keep learning, and the city has a senior center with programs for older adults. Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, part of Covenant Health, provides hospital care in town. Both the City of Oak Ridge and Anderson County offer the tax freeze.

Knoxville

Knoxville offers both city life and nature. Downtown has theaters, the symphony and restaurants, the University of Tennessee brings sports and events, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is within an easy day trip for hiking. The University of Tennessee Medical Center is the region’s Level I trauma center and academic hospital. Knox County participates in the tax freeze, though the City of Knoxville does not. Retirees who want water closer to home can also look at these Tennessee lake towns with affordable living.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a strong pick for active retirees. The pedestrian Walnut Street Bridge, the Tennessee Riverwalk and the trails on Lookout Mountain keep you moving, while the downtown riverfront has restaurants, the Tennessee Aquarium and regular events. Erlanger Baroness Hospital downtown is the area’s Level I trauma center. Here the tax freeze works the other way around from Knoxville: the City of Chattanooga participates, but Hamilton County is not on the list.

Crossville

Crossville, on the Cumberland Plateau between Nashville and Knoxville, is promoted by the state’s tourism office as the Golf Capital of Tennessee. The Fairfield Glade resort and retirement community, the Bear Trace course at Cumberland Mountain State Park and several other championship courses are close by. Cumberland Medical Center, part of Covenant Health, provides hospital care in town. Life here is slower and more community-centered than in the big cities, and the City of Crossville participates in the tax freeze.

Sevierville

Sevierville, the seat of Sevier County and Dolly Parton’s hometown, sits a short drive from Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That makes it a great place for retirees who enjoy mountain views, hiking, fishing, shopping and eating out. It is a natural choice for anyone moving from Mississippi to Tennessee and looking for a change in scenery. LeConte Medical Center in Sevierville provides emergency and hospital care. Keep in mind that tourist traffic can be heavy in peak season; Sevier County offers the tax freeze, while the City of Sevierville does not.

Jackson

Jackson, in Madison County off I-40 roughly halfway between Memphis and Nashville, is a mid-size city with a slower pace than either metro. Its cultural attractions include Casey Jones Village and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, the flagship of West Tennessee Healthcare, gives retirees a full-service hospital close to home. Both the city and Madison County offer the tax freeze. If Jackson is on your list, Spyder’s Jackson TN movers can help you plan the move.

Murfreesboro

Murfreesboro, in Rutherford County southeast of Nashville, is growing fast. It has historic sites such as Stones River National Battlefield, plus Middle Tennessee State University, newer shopping areas and plenty of parks. Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford is the main hospital. Rutherford County and the City of Murfreesboro both offer the tax freeze. Murfreesboro also ranks among the top places to build a house in Tennessee, for retirees who want a single-level home designed around their needs.

Johnson City

Johnson City, in the mountains of Northeast Tennessee, has the energy of a college town thanks to East Tennessee State University. Retirees get city parks, greenway trails, senior programs through the parks and recreation department and quick access to the mountains. Healthcare is a strength: Johnson City Medical Center is part of Ballad Health, and the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center at Mountain Home serves veterans. The one drawback for budget-minded retirees is that neither the city nor Washington County offers the senior tax freeze, so check the state tax relief program instead.

Does Tennessee tax Social Security and retirement income?

No. Tennessee does not tax Social Security benefits, pensions, or withdrawals from IRAs and 401(k) plans. The state constitution bars a tax on wages and earned income, and the Hall income tax – the only Tennessee tax that applied to personal investment income such as interest and dividends – was fully repealed for tax years beginning January 1, 2021. Federal income tax still applies as usual, but there is no Tennessee return to file.

For retirees, that means:

• Social Security: not taxed by the state.
• Pensions and annuities: not taxed by the state, including military and government pensions.
• IRA and 401(k) withdrawals: not taxed by the state.
• Interest and dividends: no longer taxed since the Hall tax repeal.

The state makes up for this with sales tax. The state rate is 7% on most goods and 4% on groceries, and every county adds a local rate of up to 2.75%. If you spend a lot on taxable purchases, sales tax will be your largest state tax bill, but most retirees still come out ahead compared with states that tax retirement income.

What property tax relief can seniors get in Tennessee?

Tennessee has two separate programs for older homeowners, and you can apply for both through your county trustee or city collecting official.

State property tax relief. This program, run by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, reimburses part of the property tax on your home. To qualify for the 2026 tax year, you must be 65 or older by December 31, own and live in the home as your primary residence, and have combined 2025 income for you, your spouse and all other owners of no more than $38,470. Disabled homeowners and disabled veterans have their own versions of the program.

Property tax freeze. Counties and cities can choose to freeze the property tax amount on a senior’s home at the level of the first approved year, so in most cases later rate increases or reappraisals do not raise your bill. You must be 65 or older and meet a local income limit, which for 2026 is $63,470 in places that adopted the higher local option, such as Shelby, Knox and Rutherford counties. You must reapply every year. As the table above shows, participation differs between a county and the cities inside it, so check both parts of your tax bill. The Comptroller publishes the current list of participating counties and cities with income limits.

How affordable is Tennessee for retirees?

Tennessee is generally affordable compared with most of the country. The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), which compiles cost of living data for all states, put Tennessee’s composite index at 89.7 in the second quarter of 2026, where the U.S. average is 100 – the 10th-lowest in the nation. Housing is the biggest saving, with a housing index of 80.0.

Costs still vary a lot inside the state. Franklin, Brentwood and Germantown are among the priciest housing markets, while Jackson, Crossville and many smaller towns are generally easier on the budget. When you build a retirement budget, compare:

• Housing: purchase price or rent, homeowners insurance and property tax for the exact city and county.
• Healthcare: Medicare plan premiums and how far you would drive to your doctors.
• Everyday spending: groceries and other purchases, including the local sales tax rate.
• Moving and downsizing: the move itself, plus storage for items you are not ready to part with.

If you are coming from a neighboring state, this Mississippi vs Tennessee cost of living comparison breaks down the differences. For a local move within the Memphis area, hiring moving labor in Memphis can keep the cost of the move itself under control.

How do you find doctors and Medicare help after moving to Tennessee?

Healthcare access is one of the biggest differences between Tennessee retirement towns. Large cities such as Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga have academic and trauma centers, while smaller towns rely on a community hospital and refer complex cases to the nearest city. Before you commit to a town, check how far you would drive to the hospital and specialists you use most.

If you move to Tennessee while on Medicare, your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan may not cover your new area, and moving gives you a special enrollment period to switch. The state’s free Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (TN SHIP) offers unbiased one-on-one Medicare counseling at 1-877-801-0044. You can also compare local hospitals and nursing homes on Medicare’s Care Compare tool.

Planning your move to a Tennessee retirement town

Retirement in Tennessee can mean a quiet Memphis suburb, a historic Middle Tennessee town or a mountain community in the east, and each comes with its own mix of costs, hospitals and tax relief. Once you have narrowed your list, visit in person, check the local property tax programs and line up your healthcare. Then let Spyder Moving and Storage handle the heavy lifting – our licensed crews and trucks cover local and long-distance moves to and around Tennessee. Request a free moving estimate or call our Memphis office at 901-329-9064 to start planning your retirement move.