Best Cities for Remote Workers in Tennessee
Tennessee ranks #14 of 50 for remote workers, with a remote workers score of 59.5. Franklin is its best city for remote workers at 65.4.
- Tennessee, all states
- #14 of 50
- Population
- 87,133
Why Tennessee Works for Remote Workers
Tennessee ranks #14 out of 50 for remote workers — a strong option for those whose income isn't tied to local job markets. Remote work fundamentally changes the relocation calculus: when your salary comes from elsewhere, what matters is how far it stretches locally and how good daily life feels. On that front, Tennessee's cost-of-living index of 91.9 is well below the national average — a remote worker earning a coastal salary here gains significant purchasing power.
The high work-from-home rate of 12.7% suggests an established remote work culture with coworking spaces and digital infrastructure already in place. Broadband subscriptions reach 92.5% of households, below the 50-state average — check service at a specific address, especially in rural areas.
The tax environment is favorable at 6.38% of income, letting remote workers keep more of their earnings. Housing affordability (score: 78/100) is a clear advantage — the typical home is worth $334,108, a manageable ratio for most remote salaries.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Remote Workers
| # City | Grade | Remote Workers score | Overall | Affordability | Economy | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Franklin | A+ | 65.4 | 69.5 | 47 | 79 | 87,133 |
| 2Collierville | A+ | 64.4 | 67.6 | 61 | 86 | 51,515 |
| 3Spring Hill | A | 63.7 | 63.4 | 57 | 76 | 55,765 |
| 4Brentwood | A+ | 62.3 | 68.0 | 28 | 92 | 45,556 |
| 5Lebanon | B+ | 61.2 | 60.3 | 68 | 57 | 44,788 |
| 6Johnson City | C+ | 60.9 | 55.6 | 81 | 49 | 72,222 |
| 7Smyrna | B | 60.6 | 58.3 | 67 | 63 | 56,692 |
| 8Hendersonville | B+ | 60.0 | 61.5 | 62 | 69 | 63,091 |
| 9Gallatin | B+ | 59.5 | 58.9 | 67 | 59 | 48,532 |
| 10Bartlett | B+ | 58.4 | 59.1 | 69 | 67 | 56,876 |
| 11Murfreesboro | B | 58.2 | 57.1 | 65 | 61 | 161,445 |
| 12Columbia | C+ | 57.3 | 54.1 | 72 | 47 | 45,441 |
| 13Clarksville | C+ | 57.1 | 53.4 | 76 | 51 | 176,456 |
| 14Cleveland | C | 56.3 | 51.6 | 81 | 45 | 48,829 |
| 15Kingsport | C | 56.3 | 51.3 | 85 | 44 | 56,262 |
| 16Knoxville | C | 55.8 | 51.8 | 78 | 48 | 195,185 |
| 17Chattanooga | C | 53.2 | 50.9 | 76 | 51 | 185,783 |
| 18Nashville | C | 52.2 | 50.4 | 63 | 60 | 690,130 |
| 19Jackson | D | 49.5 | 44.4 | 83 | 42 | 68,435 |
| 20Memphis | F | 44.5 | 37.4 | 81 | 37 | 618,980 |
City remote workers scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out.
Compare: States with Similar Remote Workers Rankings
Also See: Tennessee for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tennessee a good state for remote workers?
Tennessee ranks #14 out of 50 for remote workers with a persona-weighted score of 59.5/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (78/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (13/100).
What is the best city for remote workers in Tennessee?
Franklin ranks #1 in Tennessee for remote workers with a score of 65.4/100, followed by Collierville and Spring Hill.
What factors are most important for remote workers in Tennessee?
Rankings weighted toward affordable cost of living, strong economy, outdoor access, livability, low taxes, and safe communities — what remote workers prioritize when choosing where to live.