Senior living in Tennessee
When you're retiring, one area you might consider is The Volunteer State, Tennessee. Tennessee is known for many things, including its mountains, country music, and southern hospitality. You get all four seasons with Tennessee, but they are pretty mild. So if you're looking for a place to retire, Tennessee might be just what you need. Whether you're donning a cowboy hat in Nashville or want to be left alone in a rural town, there's a place for you in Tennessee. Best of all, the state has an affordable cost of living. In the next section, we'll discuss the state's living costs.
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Cost of living in Tennessee
Tennessee has an affordable cost of living, being a little below 11 points the national average. In all aspects, including rent, Tennessee is cheaper than other states. The best example of this is its housing, over 20 points below the national average. The median home cost is a whopping $100K less than the average. Transportation is also affordable in Tennessee, allowing you to travel the state without paying too much. Overall, we believe that this state is one that you might want to retire to because of these facts. You can enjoy the retirement you deserve when you visit this state.
Cost-of-living indices
100 = US average. Higher means more expensive.
- Overall
- 88.7
- Grocery
- 93
- Housing
- 79.4
- Utilities
- 91.7
- Transportation
- 86
- Misc.
- 92.9
Housing & rent
Statewide medians and averages.
- Median home
- $167,200
- Average rent
- $869
- Studio
- $751
- 1 bedroom
- $799
- 2 bedroom
- $939
- 3 bedroom
- $1,121
Care levels in Tennessee
Whether you're comparing options for a parent or planning ahead for yourself, here's where to start by care level.
- AL
Assisted Living
Assisted living provides personal care, meals, and daily support for seniors who need help with everyday tasks but not full medical supervision.
- MC
Memory Care
Memory care is a specialized type of senior living for people with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other cognitive decline.
- IL
Independent Living
Independent living is community housing for active seniors who want amenities, social life, and freedom from home upkeep without daily personal-care services.
- HC
Home Care
Home care brings personal-care services and companionship into the senior's own home rather than moving them into a community.
- SNF
Nursing Homes
A skilled nursing facility (SNF, often called a nursing home) provides 24-hour licensed medical care and rehabilitation for seniors with serious health conditions.
- SA
Senior Apartments
Senior apartments are age-restricted rental homes - typically for residents 55+ or 62+ - designed for older adults who live independently.
Browse by city
Popular cities in Tennessee
- Knoxville, TN56 communities
- Nashville, TN49 communities
- Murfreesboro, TN30 communities
- Memphis, TN28 communities
- Jackson, TN24 communities
- Franklin, TN21 communities
- Clarksville, TN20 communities
- Kingsport, TN19 communities
- Chattanooga, TN18 communities
- Hendersonville, TN17 communities
- Bristol, TN16 communities
- Johnson City, TN16 communities
Hand-picked from our directory
Top assisted living in Tennessee
Elmcroft Of West Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
4.5 · 29 reviews
Red Cedar Glen
Hendersonville, TN
4.0 · 28 reviews
Morningside Of Belmont
Nashville, TN
4.3 · 26 reviews
Atria Weston Place
Knoxville, TN
4.4 · 25 reviews
Brookdale Johnson City
Johnson City, TN
4.2 · 23 reviews
Deane Hill Place
Knoxville, TN
4.0 · 23 reviews
Caregivers who come to you
Top home care in Tennessee
Local pricing
Assisted living monthly cost by city in Tennessee
Median monthly cost of assisted living, sourced from public data. Actual community pricing varies by apartment size, level of care, and amenities.
| City | Avg. monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Adams | $6,113.00 |
| Adamsville | $6,010.00 |
| Afton | $6,010.00 |
| Alamo | $6,010.00 |
| Alcoa | $6,010.00 |
| Alexandria | $5,955.00 |
| Allardt | $5,928.00 |
| Allons | $5,272.00 |
| Allred | $4,999.00 |
| Alpine | $4,917.00 |
| Altamont | $4,917.00 |
| Andersonville | $4,887.00 |
| Antioch | $4,753.00 |
| Apison | $4,521.00 |
| Ardmore | $4,370.00 |
| Arlington | $4,261.00 |
| Arnold A F B | $4,020.00 |
Common questions about senior living in Tennessee
- What types of senior care are available in Tennessee?
- Tennessee has communities offering assisted living, memory care, independent living, home care, and skilled nursing. Larger metros have more depth of options across all care levels; smaller markets may have fewer choices in any single category.
- How much does assisted living cost in Tennessee?
- Assisted living costs in Tennessee vary widely by metro, apartment size, and the resident's level of care. The national median is roughly $5,000 per month; major metros tend to run higher and rural areas lower. Each community sets its own pricing - request a written cost breakdown when you tour.
- Does Tennessee Medicaid pay for assisted living?
- Medicaid does not pay for room-and-board in assisted living, but Tennessee's Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver may cover some assisted-living services for eligible residents. Coverage and eligibility vary - check directly with your state's Medicaid agency or an elder-law attorney.
- How do I evaluate a nursing home in Tennessee?
- Start with the CMS 5-star rating on Medicare.gov for any Medicare-certified facility, then look at the underlying staffing data and the most recent state inspection report. Tour the facility, watch staff interact with residents, and ask about staffing levels during evenings and overnight.
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