The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Tennessee

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 103 towns of 500–10,000 people in Tennessee. #1 is Rogersville, TN.

1. 25Lafayette, Tennessee

   Better for first-time buyers than 66% of Tennessee towns

   Lafayette is a city of 5,584 people in Macon County, Tennessee. It also ranks more vibrant than 74% of Tennessee towns and better for young professionals than 70% of Tennessee towns.

   5,584 people · Macon County · median home $213,900 · income $51,736 · Jan low 25°F · 5 in snow

   Full Lafayette, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 24Wildwood Lake, Tennessee

   Better for first-time buyers than 67% of Tennessee towns

   Wildwood Lake is a community of 3,286 people in Bradley County, Tennessee. It also ranks easier by car than 90% of Tennessee towns and more of a college town than 71% of Tennessee towns.

   3,286 people · Bradley County · median home $231,700 · income $62,722 · Jan low 29°F · 1 in snow

   Full Wildwood Lake, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 23Etowah, Tennessee

   Better for first-time buyers than 68% of Tennessee towns

   Etowah is a city of 3,603 people in McMinn County, Tennessee. It also ranks easier by car than 92% of Tennessee towns and more walkable than 82% of Tennessee towns.

   3,603 people · McMinn County · median home $190,800 · income $39,291 · Jan low 28°F · 4 in snow

   Full Etowah, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 22Jasper, Tennessee

   Better for first-time buyers than 68% of Tennessee towns

   Jasper is a town of 3,612 people in Marion County, Tennessee. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 95% of Tennessee towns and better for families than 85% of Tennessee towns.

   3,612 people · Marion County · median home $209,000 · income $73,013 · Jan low 29°F · 3 in snow

   Full Jasper, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 21Erwin, Tennessee

   Better for first-time buyers than 69% of Tennessee towns

   Erwin is a town of 6,083 people in Unicoi County, Tennessee. It also ranks more walkable than 99% of Tennessee towns and more of a college town than 99% of Tennessee towns.

   6,083 people · Unicoi County · median home $180,900 · income $47,487 · Jan low 25°F · 9 in snow

   Full Erwin, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 20Rockwood, Tennessee

   Better for first-time buyers than 70% of Tennessee towns

   Rockwood is a city of 5,444 people in Roane County, Tennessee. It also ranks more walkable than 85% of Tennessee towns and hipper than 78% of Tennessee towns.

   5,444 people · Roane County · median home $128,700 · income $47,791 · Jan low 28°F · 2 in snow

   Full Rockwood, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 19Dayton, Tennessee

   Better for first-time buyers than 72% of Tennessee towns

   Dayton is a city of 7,065 people in Rhea County, Tennessee. It also ranks more vibrant than 86% of Tennessee towns and more of a college town than 85% of Tennessee towns.

   7,065 people · Rhea County · median home $214,900 · income $49,719 · Jan low 28°F · 2 in snow

   Full Dayton, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 18Covington, Tennessee

   Better for first-time buyers than 72% of Tennessee towns

   Covington is a city of 8,663 people in Tipton County, Tennessee. It also ranks more walkable than 95% of Tennessee towns and more vibrant than 94% of Tennessee towns.

   8,663 people · Tipton County · median home $185,900 · income $42,254 · Jan low 29°F · 2 in snow

   Full Covington, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 17La Follette, Tennessee

   Better for first-time buyers than 77% of Tennessee towns

   La Follette is a city of 7,430 people in Campbell County, Tennessee. It also ranks more walkable than 95% of Tennessee towns and better for cycling than 91% of Tennessee towns.

   7,430 people · Campbell County · median home $138,900 · income $37,581 · Jan low 25°F · 4 in snow

   Full La Follette, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 16Ripley, Tennessee

    Better for first-time buyers than 78% of Tennessee towns

    Ripley is a city of 7,800 people in Lauderdale County, Tennessee. It also ranks better for cycling than 92% of Tennessee towns and better transit than 88% of Tennessee towns.

    7,800 people · Lauderdale County · median home $154,900 · income $37,432 · Jan low 29°F · 2 in snow

    Full Ripley, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

11. 15Centerville, Tennessee

    Better for first-time buyers than 80% of Tennessee towns

    Centerville is a town of 3,532 people in Hickman County, Tennessee. It also ranks better for retirees than 72% of Tennessee towns.

    3,532 people · Hickman County · median home $213,400 · income $59,167 · Jan low 28°F · 2 in snow

    Full Centerville, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 14Huntingdon, Tennessee

    Better for first-time buyers than 81% of Tennessee towns

    Huntingdon is a town of 4,439 people in Carroll County, Tennessee. It also ranks easier by car than 97% of Tennessee towns and better for retirees than 91% of Tennessee towns.

    4,439 people · Carroll County · median home $160,500 · income $51,969 · Jan low 28°F · 3 in snow

    Full Huntingdon, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 13Ashland City, Tennessee

    Better for first-time buyers than 81% of Tennessee towns

    Ashland City is a town of 5,193 people in Cheatham County, Tennessee. It also ranks better transit than 84% of Tennessee towns.

    5,193 people · Cheatham County · median home $294,100 · income $79,231 · Jan low 27°F · 2 in snow

    Full Ashland City, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

14. 12Mascot, Tennessee

    Better for first-time buyers than 83% of Tennessee towns

    Mascot is a community of 2,760 people in Knox County, Tennessee. It also ranks more of a college town than 88% of Tennessee towns and better for retirees than 82% of Tennessee towns.

    2,760 people · Knox County · median home $206,000 · income $60,250 · Jan low 27°F · 4 in snow

    Full Mascot, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

15. 11Dresden, Tennessee

    Better for first-time buyers than 89% of Tennessee towns

    Dresden is a town of 3,019 people in Weakley County, Tennessee. It also ranks easier by car than 93% of Tennessee towns and better for retirees than 76% of Tennessee towns.

    3,019 people · Weakley County · median home $126,900 · income $51,000 · Jan low 27°F · 0 in snow

    Full Dresden, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

16. 10Eagleton Village, Tennessee

    Better for first-time buyers than 89% of Tennessee towns

    Eagleton Village is a community of 5,393 people in Blount County, Tennessee. It also ranks more walkable than 97% of Tennessee towns and more vibrant than 84% of Tennessee towns.

    5,393 people · Blount County · median home $197,700 · income $71,875 · Jan low 30°F · 5 in snow

    Full Eagleton Village, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

17. 9Woodbury, Tennessee

    Better for first-time buyers than 90% of Tennessee towns

    Woodbury is a town of 2,703 people in Cannon County, Tennessee. It also ranks hipper than 86% of Tennessee towns and easier by car than 73% of Tennessee towns.

    2,703 people · Cannon County · median home $216,400 · income $58,466 · Jan low 27°F · 3 in snow

    Full Woodbury, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 8Oneida, Tennessee

    Better for first-time buyers than 91% of Tennessee towns

    Oneida is a town of 3,787 people in Scott County, Tennessee. It also ranks better transit than 72% of Tennessee towns.

    3,787 people · Scott County · median home $170,600 · income $48,622 · Jan low 25°F · 6 in snow

    Full Oneida, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

19. 7Smithville, Tennessee

    Better for first-time buyers than 92% of Tennessee towns

    Smithville is a city of 5,004 people in DeKalb County, Tennessee. The median home is worth $194,200 (typical Tennessee town: $204,650).

    5,004 people · DeKalb County · median home $194,200 · income $33,192 · Jan low 26°F · 3 in snow

    Full Smithville, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

20. 6Green Hill, Tennessee

    Better for first-time buyers than 92% of Tennessee towns

    Green Hill is a community of 6,518 people in Wilson County, Tennessee. It also ranks better for families than 95% of Tennessee towns and more upscale than 92% of Tennessee towns.

    6,518 people · Wilson County · median home $365,900 · income $91,818 · Jan low 28°F · 5 in snow

    Full Green Hill, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

21. 5New Tazewell, Tennessee

    Better for first-time buyers than 93% of Tennessee towns

    New Tazewell is a town of 2,769 people in Claiborne County, Tennessee. It also ranks better transit than 73% of Tennessee towns.

    2,769 people · Claiborne County · median home $183,800 · income $53,567 · Jan low 23°F · 8 in snow

    Full New Tazewell, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

22. 4Dunlap, Tennessee

    Better for first-time buyers than 94% of Tennessee towns

    Dunlap is a city of 5,357 people in Sequatchie County, Tennessee. The median home is worth $192,100 (typical Tennessee town: $204,650).

    5,357 people · Sequatchie County · median home $192,100 · income $45,589 · Jan low 32°F · 3 in snow

    Full Dunlap, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

23. 3Pleasant View, Tennessee

    Better for first-time buyers than 95% of Tennessee towns

    Pleasant View is a city of 4,807 people in Cheatham County, Tennessee. It also ranks better for families than 93% of Tennessee towns and more upscale than 90% of Tennessee towns.

    4,807 people · Cheatham County · median home $390,900 · income $109,213 · Jan low 28°F · 3 in snow

    Full Pleasant View, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

24. 2Harriman, Tennessee

    Better for first-time buyers than 97% of Tennessee towns

    Harriman is a city of 5,892 people in Roane County, Tennessee. It also ranks hipper than 88% of Tennessee towns and more walkable than 83% of Tennessee towns.

    5,892 people · Roane County · median home $153,200 · income $44,653 · Jan low 28°F · 2 in snow

    Full Harriman, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

25. 1Rogersville, Tennessee

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of Tennessee towns

    Rogersville is a town of 4,671 people in Hawkins County, Tennessee. It also ranks more vibrant than 95% of Tennessee towns and more walkable than 94% of Tennessee towns.

    4,671 people · Hawkins County · median home $192,800 · income $47,500 · Jan low 26°F · 6 in snow

    Full Rogersville, Tennessee profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Price vs ranking

More Tennessee rankings

• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Tennessee
• The 25 Quietest Small Towns in Tennessee
• The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in Tennessee
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Tennessee
• 25 Small Towns in Tennessee With the Cheapest Homes
• 25 Small Towns in Tennessee With the Mildest Winters
• The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in Tennessee
• 25 Small Towns in Tennessee With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950
• The 10 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Tennessee With Mild Winters
• The 12 Best Affordable Small Towns for Remote Workers in Tennessee

Same ranking, other places

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• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Pennsylvania
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in New York
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Michigan
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Texas
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in California
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in New Jersey
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Florida
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Wisconsin
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Ohio