Best counties to retire to in Tennessee

Written by:
February 1, 2021
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

Best counties to retire to in Tennessee

Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply "location, location, location." While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.

When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in Tennessee using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather.

Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it’s a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.

Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in Tennessee.

You may also like: People who retire comfortably avoid these financial advisor mistakes

1 / 25
AppalachianCentrist // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Hamblen County

- Population: 63,740
- Median home value: $132,200 (66% own)
- Median rent: $717 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $42,589
2 / 25
Thomas R Machnitzki (thomasmachnitzki.com) // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Obion County

- Population: 30,520
- Median home value: $89,200 (68% own)
- Median rent: $590 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $39,866
3 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Polk County

- Population: 16,782
- Median home value: $113,800 (74% own)
- Median rent: $678 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $41,818
4 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Monroe County

- Population: 45,876
- Median home value: $122,600 (76% own)
- Median rent: $619 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $38,327
5 / 25
Ballinindasierra // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Hardin County

- Population: 25,771
- Median home value: $115,800 (73% own)
- Median rent: $605 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $39,798
6 / 25
Canva

#20. Sevier County

- Population: 96,287
- Median home value: $168,600 (68% own)
- Median rent: $764 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $45,943
7 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#19. White County

- Population: 26,580
- Median home value: $110,300 (81% own)
- Median rent: $643 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $40,745
8 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Franklin County

- Population: 41,512
- Median home value: $128,900 (74% own)
- Median rent: $662 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $49,038
9 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Blount County

- Population: 128,443
- Median home value: $174,600 (75% own)
- Median rent: $768 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $54,140
10 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Gibson County

- Population: 49,175
- Median home value: $94,900 (69% own)
- Median rent: $681 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $41,886
11 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Anderson County

- Population: 75,775
- Median home value: $139,800 (68% own)
- Median rent: $726 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $49,376
12 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Hamilton County

- Population: 357,546
- Median home value: $171,400 (64% own)
- Median rent: $840 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $53,035
13 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Unicoi County

- Population: 17,780
- Median home value: $131,000 (71% own)
- Median rent: $616 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $39,851
14 / 25
AppalachianCentrist // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Greene County

- Population: 68,669
- Median home value: $118,500 (73% own)
- Median rent: $602 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $40,138
15 / 25
Ɱ // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Knox County

- Population: 456,185
- Median home value: $174,700 (65% own)
- Median rent: $864 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $54,437
16 / 25
Ichabod // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Giles County

- Population: 29,167
- Median home value: $123,300 (70% own)
- Median rent: $643 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $47,528
17 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Decatur County

- Population: 11,683
- Median home value: $94,700 (76% own)
- Median rent: $547 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $40,233
18 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Roane County

- Population: 52,897
- Median home value: $138,100 (77% own)
- Median rent: $680 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $50,003
19 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Carroll County

- Population: 28,018
- Median home value: $87,100 (73% own)
- Median rent: $608 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $40,810
20 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Johnson County

- Population: 17,789
- Median home value: $118,700 (78% own)
- Median rent: $532 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $34,151
21 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Washington County

- Population: 127,055
- Median home value: $159,400 (65% own)
- Median rent: $743 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $46,752
22 / 25
Cj4258 // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Henry County

- Population: 32,279
- Median home value: $101,200 (76% own)
- Median rent: $629 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $40,837
23 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Cumberland County

- Population: 58,634
- Median home value: $143,000 (78% own)
- Median rent: $690 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $43,893
24 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Sullivan County

- Population: 156,734
- Median home value: $133,900 (72% own)
- Median rent: $652 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $43,442
25 / 25
Scott Basford // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Loudon County

- Population: 51,610
- Median home value: $199,400 (77% own)
- Median rent: $750 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $56,078

Trending Now