Franklin 75 Excellent
Franklin Livability #16 ranked city in Tennessee#3,727 ranked city in the USARanks better than 87% of areas

Franklin, TN - A City of History and Southern Charm

Living in Franklin, TN offers a unique blend of Southern charm, historical significance, and modern amenities. Located just south of Nashville, Franklin is known for its beautifully preserved downtown area, which is rich with history and filled with shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. The city’s historic homes, battlefields, and museums provide a glimpse into the past, making it a place where history comes alive.

Franklin’s dining scene is diverse, offering a range of options from Southern comfort food to contemporary cuisine. The city’s downtown area is a hub of activity, featuring a variety of shops, cafes, and entertainment venues. The annual Main Street Festival is a highlight of the year, bringing the community together to enjoy live music, food, and arts and crafts in the heart of downtown.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Franklin provides plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city’s parks, including Pinkerton Park and Harlinsdale Farm, offer scenic spots for picnicking, walking, and enjoying nature. The nearby Natchez Trace Parkway and Harpeth River provide additional opportunities for hiking, biking, and exploring the beautiful landscapes of Middle Tennessee.

Franklin is also known for its vibrant community life and cultural events. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Franklin Theatre’s live performances and the Dickens of a Christmas festival, which bring residents together to celebrate and enjoy the festive spirit. The local farmers market is a popular destination, offering fresh produce, handmade goods, and a lively atmosphere.

For those considering a move to Tennessee, Franklin offers a perfect blend of historical charm, Southern hospitality, and modern convenience. Whether you're drawn by its outdoor activities, cultural events, or proximity to Nashville, living in Franklin, TN provides a fulfilling and dynamic lifestyle.

Pros and Cons of Living in Franklin

PROS
  • Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Schools

    The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

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What's it like Living in Franklin?

Franklin, Tennessee is a moderately-sized city with a population of 80,675 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 81% of Franklin residents are White, 9% Asian and 6% Black. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Franklin, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 25 minutes.

Living in Franklin can be a fulfilling experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Tennessee, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. The best areas in Franklin and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, cost of living, commute, education, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Tennessee and national averages.

Franklin, TN receives 75 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #11 in Tennessee and #3,374 in the USA. Clearly, Franklin is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. If we examine each of the categories on their own, we see that Franklin ranks well for crime (A+), education (A-) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Franklin. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Franklin, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 195 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Franklin has an unemployment rate of 2.15% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

Parents and families tend to prioritize school test scores when choosing educational institutions. Test score data can be a critical factor in evaluating and comparing schools. In Franklin, the average school test scores are an impressive 66%, well above the national average. This achievement reflects the educational system's dedication to providing students with the essential knowledge and tools for success. It ensures that your children will receive the support and resources needed to excel academically and thrive in their educational pursuits.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Franklin excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Assuming that Franklin meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Franklin. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Franklin are simply unattainable. The median home price for Franklin homes is $438,800, which is 200.5% higher than the Tennessee average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Franklin, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.4, which is 41.9% higher than the Tennessee average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Franklin

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Compare Franklin, TN Livability

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      Franklin transportation information

      Statistic Franklin Tennessee National
      Average one way commute25min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.0%83.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.4%9.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.3%0.8%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.9%1.4%2.8%
      Working from home15.1%3.9%4.6%
      Source: The Franklin, TN data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).