Best overall
Williamson County
Overall score 74.1
Economy 91.4 / Affordability 20.2
State rankings
Best Counties to Live in Tennessee
Compare counties in Tennessee by affordability, schools, safety, taxes, economy, home values, and quality-of-life tradeoffs.
Use the county-size filter to compare large metro counties, mid-size counties, small counties, and rural areas separately. These modules are a starting point, then you can open the full rankings table or compare individual counties.
County size
County size helps compare places with similar scale. Large metro counties and small rural counties can rank well for very different reasons.
Showing all 95 Tennessee counties
Use this state ranking
Compare counties in Tennessee
Put Tennessee counties side by side.
Estimate moving costs
Compare housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, insurance, and tax-pressure estimates.
Open Tennessee rankings
Open the full Tennessee ranking table with filters.
Explore on the map
Scan county scores geographically across the country.
Tennessee county rankings at a glance
Compact winners for common county-search priorities.
Best for families
Williamson County
Family score 77.5
Schools 99.9 / Safety 94.2
Best value
Obion County
Value score 77.1
Affordability 71.9 / Taxes 93.1
Most affordable
Chester County
Affordability 79.4
Typical home $165,037
Best schools
Williamson County
Schools 99.9
Safety 94.2 / Economy 91.4
Safest
Williamson County
Safety 94.2
Schools 99.9 / Peace 57.9
Low taxes
Fentress County
Taxes 100
Affordability 49.5 / Typical home $249,389
Peace & quiet
Dyer County
Peace & Quiet 89.6
Density and built-environment signals
Top counties by category
Use these short lists to jump into the state rankings that match your priorities.
Best overall counties in Tennessee
View full- 1Williamson County
Typical home $925,695
74.1
Overall
- 2Wilson County
Typical home $501,381
72.5
Overall
- 3Sumner County
Typical home $443,791
71.9
Overall
- 4Rutherford County
Typical home $416,885
71.1
Overall
- 5Stewart County
Typical home $240,462
71
Overall
Best counties for families in Tennessee
View full- 1Williamson County
Typical home $925,695
77.5
Family
- 2Stewart County
Typical home $240,462
74.9
Family
- 3Washington County
Typical home $304,282
74.6
Family
- 4Lawrence County
Typical home $247,471
73.9
Family
- 5Dyer County
Typical home $171,209
73.5
Family
Best value counties in Tennessee
View full- 1Obion County
Typical home $162,497
77.1
Value
- 2Dyer County
Typical home $171,209
76.6
Value
- 3Chester County
Typical home $165,037
76.6
Value
- 4Van Buren County
Typical home $233,203
76.2
Value
- 5Fayette County
Typical home $373,539
75.5
Value
Most affordable counties in Tennessee
View full- 1Chester County
Typical home $165,037
79.4
Afford.
- 2Hickman County
Typical home $195,354
76.6
Afford.
- 3Gibson County
Typical home $177,802
75.4
Afford.
- 4Lauderdale County
Typical home $133,109
75.3
Afford.
- 5Dyer County
Typical home $171,209
73.1
Afford.
Best school counties in Tennessee
View full- 1Williamson County
Typical home $925,695
99.9
Schools
- 2Washington County
Typical home $304,282
89.6
Schools
- 3Dickson County
Typical home $360,953
78.9
Schools
- 4Sumner County
Typical home $443,791
78.3
Schools
- 5Stewart County
Typical home $240,462
77.7
Schools
Lowest tax-score counties in Tennessee
View full- 1Fentress County
Typical home $249,389
100
Taxes
- 2Meigs County
Typical home $296,450
99.7
Taxes
- 3Union County
Typical home $289,193
99.4
Taxes
- 4Cumberland County
Typical home $304,476
99.3
Taxes
- 5McMinn County
Typical home $256,616
99.3
Taxes
Quietest counties in Tennessee
View full- 1Dyer County
Typical home $171,209
89.6
Quiet
- 2Obion County
Typical home $162,497
88.9
Quiet
- 3Weakley County
Typical home $188,642
88.9
Quiet
- 4Crockett County
Typical home $190,969
87.4
Quiet
- 5Lake County
Typical home $112,424
87.3
Quiet
Safest counties in Tennessee
View full- 1Williamson County
Typical home $925,695
94.2
Safety
- 2Montgomery County
Typical home $319,063
93
Safety
- 3Wilson County
Typical home $501,381
92.8
Safety
- 4Rutherford County
Typical home $416,885
92.5
Safety
- 5Marshall County
Typical home $330,153
91.6
Safety
Popular Tennessee county comparisons
Put two counties side by side before you narrow the search.
How to choose a county in Tennessee
The best county in Tennessee depends on what you need most. Families may care more about schools and safety, budget-focused movers may care more about affordability and taxes, and quiet-living households may care more about density and peace & quiet. Large counties and rural counties can rank well for very different reasons, so use the county-size filter to compare places with similar scale.
Best for different needs
Best overall counties in Tennessee
For best overall counties in Tennessee, Williamson County, Wilson County, and Sumner County stand out in this model because they combine several public-data signals instead of winning on only one category.
View this rankingBest counties for families in Tennessee
For families, Williamson County, Stewart County, and Washington County score well in the family blend of schools, safety, affordability, taxes, economy, and peace & quiet.
View this rankingMost affordable counties in Tennessee
For affordability-focused movers, Chester County, Hickman County, and Gibson County may appeal because they score well on housing and income tradeoff signals in the current model.
View this rankingBest school counties in Tennessee
For school-first households, Williamson County, Washington County, and Dickson County lead the current school score, though families should still compare district-level details.
View this rankingBest low-tax counties in Tennessee
For lower tax-pressure searches, Fentress County, Meigs County, and Union County score well on the tax model, but buyers should still check local property taxes and carrying costs.
View this rankingBest quiet counties in Tennessee
For quieter-living searches, Dyer County, Obion County, and Weakley County stand out on peace & quiet signals such as density and built-environment indicators.
View this rankingWhat to watch before moving to Tennessee
Tennessee counties around Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga may offer stronger job access but can have different affordability pressure than rural counties.
Rural counties may appeal for space and quieter living, but compare healthcare access, amenities, and job variety.
Commute distance and regional growth patterns can change the practical cost of a county even when the headline score looks strong.
Frequently asked questions about the best counties in Tennessee
What is the best county to live in Tennessee?
The best county depends on your priorities. In this ranking model, Williamson County currently scores highest overall, but families, budget-focused movers, and quiet-living households may prefer different counties.
What is the best county in Tennessee for families?
Based on the family ranking blend of schools, safety, affordability, taxes, economy, and peace & quiet, Williamson County stands out in this model.
What is the most affordable county in Tennessee?
Chester County scores highly on affordability in this model, but buyers should still compare home prices, taxes, insurance, commute costs, and local job access.
How should I compare large and small counties?
Use the county-size filter. Large metro counties and small rural counties can rank well for very different reasons, so comparing similar county sizes usually gives a more realistic shortlist.
Are these rankings based on reviews?
No. These rankings use public-data signals such as affordability, schools, safety, taxes, economy, home values, and peace & quiet. Local reviews and personal visits should still be part of a final decision.
Which Tennessee counties score well for schools or taxes?
Williamson County currently leads the school-score view, while Fentress County stands out on the tax-score view. Use the rankings presets to compare those priorities separately.
All Tennessee counties
Showing all 95 Tennessee counties ranked by the default generated overall score.
| Rank | County | Overall | Economy | Afford. | Schools | Safety | Taxes | Peace & Quiet | Typical home | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Williamson County FIPS 47187 | 74.1 | 91.4 | 20.2 | 99.9 | 94.2 | 92.3 | 57.9 | $925,695 | $135,594 |
| 2 | Wilson County FIPS 47189 | 72.5 | 91.5 | 34.8 | 71.8 | 92.8 | 92.9 | 67.3 | $501,381 | $95,839 |
| 3 | Sumner County FIPS 47165 | 71.9 | 86.7 | 39.8 | 78.3 | 85.9 | 86.6 | 61.1 | $443,791 | $90,301 |
| 4 | Rutherford County FIPS 47149 | 71.1 | 84.4 | 38.6 | 76.9 | 92.5 | 87.2 | 46.5 | $416,885 | $85,470 |
| 5 | Stewart County FIPS 47161 | 71 | 58.4 | 63.6 | 77.7 | 79 | 93.4 | 76.3 | $240,462 | $63,114 |
| 6 | Dickson County FIPS 47043 | 70.5 | 75.9 | 46.8 | 78.9 | 74.1 | 90.8 | 77.1 | $360,953 | $75,003 |
| 7 | Trousdale County FIPS 47169 | 70.3 | 74 | 46 | 74.9 | 79.1 | 95.4 | 77.6 | $347,634 | $72,747 |
| 8 | Dyer County FIPS 47045 | 69.9 | 54.7 | 73.1 | 58.7 | 90.5 | 81.2 | 89.6 | $171,209 | $58,154 |
| 9 | Gibson County FIPS 47053 | 69.2 | 53.3 | 75.4 | 63.1 | 79.2 | 83.3 | 83.5 | $177,802 | $62,755 |
| 10 | Washington County FIPS 47179 | 69.2 | 64 | 43.6 | 89.6 | 82.4 | 88.3 | 63.4 | $304,282 | $62,809 |
| 11 | Chester County FIPS 47023 | 69.1 | 52.9 | 79.4 | 62.4 | 71 | 87.6 | 82.8 | $165,037 | $59,341 |
| 12 | Montgomery County FIPS 47125 | 68.5 | 71.5 | 50.7 | 64.3 | 93 | 82.4 | 57.8 | $319,063 | $75,613 |
| 13 | Lawrence County FIPS 47099 | 68.2 | 56.3 | 52.5 | 76.4 | 83.4 | 90.1 | 84.9 | $247,471 | $54,706 |
| 14 | Blount County FIPS 47009 | 67.3 | 78.9 | 40.8 | 70.2 | 69.9 | 92 | 72.1 | $390,058 | $77,365 |
| 15 | Crockett County FIPS 47033 | 66.7 | 56.3 | 70.7 | 53.2 | 74 | 88.8 | 87.4 | $190,969 | $62,165 |
| 16 | Lincoln County FIPS 47103 | 66.3 | 68.7 | 57.5 | 50.1 | 75.5 | 92.7 | 82 | $264,661 | $64,667 |
| 17 | Obion County FIPS 47131 | 66.2 | 47.7 | 71.9 | 49.5 | 84.3 | 93.1 | 88.9 | $162,497 | $54,613 |
| 18 | Tipton County FIPS 47167 | 65.8 | 58.4 | 64 | 56.2 | 74.4 | 90.2 | 76.1 | $273,680 | $74,127 |
| 19 | Cheatham County FIPS 47021 | 65.4 | 84.5 | 52.2 | 38.6 | 70.9 | 91.3 | 75.5 | $393,931 | $89,852 |
| 20 | Henderson County FIPS 47077 | 65.3 | 54.9 | 58.5 | 71.2 | 60.7 | 94.4 | 82.4 | $211,985 | $55,136 |
| 21 | Robertson County FIPS 47147 | 65.3 | 79.2 | 51.2 | 34.2 | 87 | 89.5 | 76.6 | $371,615 | $83,047 |
| 22 | Marshall County FIPS 47117 | 64.3 | 67.4 | 48.6 | 42.5 | 91.6 | 90.2 | 80.7 | $330,153 | $71,049 |
| 23 | Sullivan County FIPS 47163 | 63.7 | 60.2 | 53.9 | 60.6 | 74.6 | 85.7 | 65.1 | $258,381 | $58,807 |
| 24 | Smith County FIPS 47159 | 63.5 | 62.5 | 50.3 | 54.7 | 73.3 | 93 | 80.5 | $306,362 | $66,293 |
| 25 | Weakley County FIPS 47183 | 63.5 | 34.7 | 61.6 | 62.9 | 86.8 | 94.1 | 88.9 | $188,642 | $51,880 |
| 26 | Hickman County FIPS 47081 | 63.3 | 68.8 | 76.6 | 31.3 | 53.8 | 86.6 | 79.6 | $195,354 | $68,247 |
| 27 | Anderson County FIPS 47001 | 62.6 | 66.4 | 46 | 51.1 | 77.3 | 89.7 | 74.3 | $313,015 | $66,183 |
| 28 | Knox County FIPS 47093 | 62.5 | 74.9 | 37.5 | 58.6 | 81.6 | 92.7 | 22.9 | $376,196 | $74,222 |
| 29 | Lewis County FIPS 47101 | 62.5 | 62.1 | 55.6 | 32.7 | 85 | 96.6 | 81.8 | $253,214 | $56,285 |
| 30 | Carroll County FIPS 47017 | 62.3 | 49.3 | 68.7 | 43.4 | 72.6 | 89.8 | 85.2 | $180,314 | $51,787 |
| 31 | Roane County FIPS 47145 | 62 | 61.6 | 56.5 | 38.4 | 79 | 91.1 | 76.1 | $294,451 | $71,885 |
| 32 | Loudon County FIPS 47105 | 61.9 | 73.4 | 37.4 | 47.6 | 75 | 98.3 | 72.8 | $444,727 | $84,185 |
| 33 | Humphreys County FIPS 47085 | 61.6 | 60.2 | 55.1 | 35.2 | 83.2 | 94.4 | 76.9 | $251,841 | $60,616 |
| 34 | McNairy County FIPS 47109 | 61.6 | 50.2 | 72.2 | 40.2 | 61.8 | 96.4 | 81.4 | $168,779 | $53,473 |
| 35 | Moore County FIPS 47127 | 61.5 | 64.5 | 37 | 48.5 | 85.4 | 92.4 | 87 | $361,762 | $66,469 |
| 36 | Cumberland County FIPS 47035 | 61.4 | 54.5 | 46.2 | 52 | 77.8 | 99.3 | 85.1 | $304,476 | $60,375 |
| 37 | Wayne County FIPS 47181 | 60.6 | 55.5 | 69.6 | 28.1 | 66.9 | 96.7 | 80.8 | $179,072 | $52,294 |
| 38 | Macon County FIPS 47111 | 60.4 | 69.8 | 49.9 | 23.5 | 82.8 | 96.3 | 75.2 | $265,841 | $59,177 |
| 39 | Houston County FIPS 47083 | 60.1 | 53 | 64.4 | 34 | 72.1 | 91.9 | 78.1 | $225,090 | $59,576 |
| 40 | Bedford County FIPS 47003 | 59.9 | 73.4 | 44.8 | 22.9 | 84.3 | 89.8 | 82.1 | $331,981 | $67,225 |
| 41 | Polk County FIPS 47139 | 59.9 | 64 | 59.8 | 25.2 | 68.8 | 96.5 | 78.8 | $250,709 | $62,522 |
| 42 | Henry County FIPS 47079 | 59.7 | 42.9 | 51.2 | 54.3 | 75.7 | 97.3 | 83.6 | $219,605 | $50,613 |
| 43 | Fayette County FIPS 47047 | 59.6 | 77.8 | 54.9 | 3.2 | 79.5 | 98.6 | 80.4 | $373,539 | $88,456 |
| 44 | Benton County FIPS 47005 | 59.5 | 45.7 | 63.9 | 34.9 | 77.2 | 93.5 | 83.1 | $186,163 | $51,746 |
| 45 | Bledsoe County FIPS 47007 | 59 | 65.4 | 49.9 | 16.2 | 88 | 99 | 77.1 | $251,803 | $54,720 |
| 46 | Bradley County FIPS 47011 | 59 | 62.8 | 45.3 | 40.9 | 73.9 | 92.4 | 68.5 | $316,294 | $66,552 |
| 47 | Hawkins County FIPS 47073 | 59 | 55.6 | 55.6 | 37.3 | 70.6 | 92.5 | 77.8 | $246,877 | $56,936 |
| 48 | Marion County FIPS 47115 | 58.8 | 56.3 | 56.4 | 28.9 | 74.8 | 97.4 | 76.8 | $258,199 | $61,824 |
| 49 | Hamilton County FIPS 47065 | 58.7 | 67.3 | 43.7 | 37.6 | 88.4 | 80.1 | 43 | $353,406 | $76,183 |
| 50 | Rhea County FIPS 47143 | 58.7 | 53.6 | 47.6 | 41.7 | 77.5 | 94.9 | 77.9 | $261,404 | $55,033 |
| 51 | Putnam County FIPS 47141 | 58.1 | 59.2 | 35.1 | 46 | 84.6 | 86.6 | 79.3 | $314,380 | $58,912 |
| 52 | Hamblen County FIPS 47063 | 58 | 58.4 | 45.7 | 41.3 | 72.6 | 96.5 | 63 | $272,389 | $55,454 |
| 53 | Van Buren County FIPS 47175 | 58 | 55 | 60.4 | 7.1 | 91.1 | 99 | 84.2 | $233,203 | $54,931 |
| 54 | Overton County FIPS 47133 | 57.9 | 54.4 | 40.9 | 33.6 | 88.5 | 98.4 | 84.3 | $260,911 | $48,959 |
| 55 | Carter County FIPS 47019 | 57.6 | 49.7 | 51.1 | 31.9 | 85.4 | 93.2 | 77.6 | $236,346 | $50,135 |
| 56 | McMinn County FIPS 47107 | 57.5 | 52.5 | 55.9 | 32.3 | 66.8 | 99.3 | 80.4 | $256,616 | $61,470 |
| 57 | Morgan County FIPS 47129 | 57.4 | 59.6 | 71.9 | 7.7 | 64.7 | 93.5 | 77.7 | $213,662 | $65,954 |
| 58 | Perry County FIPS 47135 | 57.4 | 41.4 | 70.8 | 17.6 | 83.6 | 94.8 | 75.6 | $170,546 | $55,972 |
| 59 | Coffee County FIPS 47031 | 57.3 | 60.9 | 41.1 | 34.9 | 81.3 | 85.9 | 80.2 | $311,376 | $61,505 |
| 60 | Johnson County FIPS 47091 | 57.3 | 41.4 | 50.1 | 54.1 | 63.8 | 98.6 | 82.5 | $248,688 | $53,129 |
| 61 | Unicoi County FIPS 47171 | 57.2 | 51.5 | 49.6 | 30 | 85.3 | 90.3 | 82.5 | $244,866 | $52,218 |
| 62 | Maury County FIPS 47119 | 56.6 | 81.3 | 35.4 | 11.4 | 82.9 | 89.8 | 75.1 | $403,962 | $76,130 |
| 63 | White County FIPS 47185 | 56.5 | 52.2 | 41 | 41.8 | 72.1 | 97 | 86.4 | $279,209 | $52,188 |
| 64 | Greene County FIPS 47059 | 56.2 | 47.7 | 53.2 | 39 | 65 | 94.6 | 79.8 | $251,736 | $56,194 |
| 65 | Fentress County FIPS 47049 | 56.1 | 60 | 49.5 | 20.3 | 70 | 100 | 83.1 | $249,389 | $51,149 |
| 66 | Giles County FIPS 47055 | 55.7 | 57.1 | 55.2 | 16.9 | 72.3 | 93.1 | 80.8 | $256,692 | $62,307 |
| 67 | Warren County FIPS 47177 | 55.3 | 55.7 | 49.8 | 21.6 | 72.1 | 97.2 | 80.6 | $256,687 | $55,487 |
| 68 | Decatur County FIPS 47039 | 55.2 | 42.1 | 57 | 35 | 67.3 | 95.1 | 76.9 | $177,069 | $45,375 |
| 69 | Jefferson County FIPS 47089 | 55.2 | 68 | 41.7 | 17.4 | 73.8 | 97.7 | 70 | $332,341 | $66,114 |
| 70 | Madison County FIPS 47113 | 55 | 53.6 | 59.1 | 7.2 | 85.7 | 84.7 | 81.7 | $230,027 | $60,042 |
| 71 | Franklin County FIPS 47051 | 54.5 | 62.9 | 43.8 | 24.3 | 65.2 | 90.5 | 83 | $316,148 | $63,494 |
| 72 | Scott County FIPS 47151 | 54.3 | 42.2 | 62.8 | 18.5 | 71.1 | 95.6 | 82.9 | $179,780 | $44,711 |
| 73 | Cocke County FIPS 47029 | 53.7 | 45.6 | 43.3 | 43.6 | 64.8 | 92.3 | 76.7 | $244,570 | $48,016 |
| 74 | Sequatchie County FIPS 47153 | 53.4 | 55.3 | 47.7 | 16.5 | 73.6 | 92.7 | 79.9 | $284,706 | $58,750 |
| 75 | Grainger County FIPS 47057 | 53.3 | 60.9 | 37.1 | 18.6 | 79.2 | 94.9 | 74.6 | $279,053 | $50,538 |
| 76 | Hardeman County FIPS 47069 | 53.3 | 37.9 | 68.9 | 13.4 | 74.2 | 87.8 | 79.5 | $156,488 | $46,069 |
| 77 | Haywood County FIPS 47075 | 53.3 | 56.6 | 65.8 | 4.5 | 61.1 | 83.3 | 85.3 | $170,827 | $50,472 |
| 78 | Cannon County FIPS 47015 | 53 | 63.5 | 37.3 | 11.3 | 81 | 94.4 | 79.3 | $324,571 | $59,443 |
| 79 | Union County FIPS 47173 | 52.8 | 61.3 | 48.7 | 5.6 | 70.8 | 99.4 | 72.5 | $289,193 | $62,727 |
| 80 | Hardin County FIPS 47071 | 52.4 | 47 | 54.4 | 18 | 65.1 | 97.9 | 78.2 | $208,542 | $49,956 |
| 81 | DeKalb County FIPS 47041 | 52.3 | 47 | 33.6 | 32.4 | 79.5 | 97.3 | 79.8 | $302,326 | $53,153 |
| 82 | Campbell County FIPS 47013 | 52.1 | 53.3 | 47.3 | 11.6 | 72.6 | 98.5 | 77.6 | $240,234 | $51,557 |
| 83 | Claiborne County FIPS 47025 | 51.3 | 44.5 | 51.9 | 26.4 | 55.5 | 95 | 82.5 | $224,434 | $49,379 |
| 84 | Meigs County FIPS 47121 | 51.2 | 44.9 | 46.8 | 44.9 | 36.9 | 99.7 | 75.4 | $296,450 | $61,375 |
| 85 | Lauderdale County FIPS 47097 | 51 | 30.4 | 75.3 | 15.4 | 61.3 | 80.8 | 84.2 | $133,109 | $49,879 |
| 86 | Sevier County FIPS 47155 | 50 | 68.8 | 16 | 22.8 | 73.3 | 98.7 | 67.1 | $405,646 | $62,581 |
| 87 | Jackson County FIPS 47087 | 49.6 | 46.2 | 50.4 | 13 | 61.4 | 97.2 | 77.4 | $229,198 | $47,951 |
| 88 | Clay County FIPS 47027 | 49.5 | 47.2 | 41.5 | 12 | 76.1 | 92.4 | 84.7 | $215,088 | $39,972 |
| 89 | Monroe County FIPS 47123 | 48.9 | 55.8 | 44.4 | 17.2 | 45.2 | 95.4 | 82.7 | $283,485 | $56,895 |
| 90 | Shelby County FIPS 47157 | 47.9 | 43.9 | 62.7 | 10.3 | 90.6 | 46.1 | 20.8 | $218,752 | $63,767 |
| 91 | Pickett County FIPS 47137 | 47.7 | 38.2 | 40.7 | 12.2 | 81.5 | 97.7 | 71.6 | $248,096 | $49,030 |
| 92 | Grundy County FIPS 47061 | 45.5 | 45.4 | 58.1 | 7.8 | 28.5 | 99.2 | 77.3 | $205,919 | $47,593 |
| 93 | Lake County FIPS 47095 | 45.5 | 18.3 | 58.7 | 3.1 | 88.8 | 79.9 | 87.3 | $112,424 | $28,814 |
| 94 | Davidson County FIPS 47037 | 44.2 | 76.1 | 26.6 | 8.2 | 56.6 | 74.5 | 19.5 | $432,820 | $77,853 |
| 95 | Hancock County FIPS 47067 | 40.9 | 31.1 | 42.3 | 1.9 | 59 | 94.7 | 77.7 | $178,522 | $34,960 |