Popular suburbs of Nashville, TN, including Franklin, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, and Mount Juliet, offer shorter commute distances and lower rent than the downtown core.
Nashville’s growth over the past decade has pushed a large share of renters and buyers into the surrounding suburbs of Nashville, TN, and for good reason. As downtown rents and home prices have climbed, communities in Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, and Sumner counties have absorbed much of that demand, each offering a different balance of commute time, monthly cost, and day-to-day amenities. Franklin, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, Mount Juliet, Smyrna, and Gallatin are among the most commonly searched suburbs of Nashville, TN, for people relocating to the metro or moving within it.
This guide breaks down what to actually expect from these communities, drive times, rent ranges, and the practical factors worth weighing, so you can compare options before committing to a lease.
Why Many Renters Choose Nashville’s Suburbs
Renters look outside the downtown core for a mix of reasons. Rent in many suburbs runs noticeably lower than in Nashville’s urban neighborhoods, and several suburbs have added new apartment inventory in recent years, which has kept more units and floor plans available to choose from. Interstate access along I-65, I-24, and I-40 connects most suburbs to downtown within a 20 to 45 minute drive under typical conditions, and a few communities offer additional options like the WeGo Star commuter rail line. For renters who don’t need to be in the urban core every day, whether due to a hybrid work schedule or a job located outside downtown, a suburb can offer more space and a lower cost per square foot without adding significant time to a weekly routine.
What to Consider Before Choosing a Commuter Suburb
A few factors tend to matter most when comparing suburbs for a commute-focused move:
- Which interstate corridor you’ll use. I-65 serves Franklin, Brentwood, and Hendersonville to the north and south. I-24 serves Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and La Vergne to the southeast. I-40 serves Mount Juliet and Lebanon to the east.
- Peak-hour traffic patterns. Off-peak drive times can look very different from a 7 to 9 a.m. or 4 to 6 p.m. commute, sometimes doubling the trip length on the same route.
- Where your workplace is located. A suburb that’s convenient to downtown may add significant time to a commute if your office is actually in Cool Springs, the airport corridor, or another suburb.
- Whether public transit is an option. The WeGo Star commuter train runs a limited weekday schedule between Lebanon, Mount Juliet, and downtown Nashville, but it isn’t a fit for every work schedule.
- How often you’ll actually make the drive. A longer commute matters less if you’re only in the office two or three days a week.
Best Nashville Suburbs for Downtown Commuters
The following suburbs are the ones renters most often compare for a downtown commute, based on drive time, interstate access, and available rental inventory.
Brentwood
Brentwood sits along I-65 south of Nashville and typically offers one of the shorter drive times into downtown among the southern suburbs, particularly outside peak hours.
Franklin
Franklin is also positioned along I-65 south of the city. It has its own walkable downtown commercial district and a growing apartment inventory, with a commute to downtown Nashville that runs longer during rush hour.
Hendersonville
Hendersonville sits north of Nashville along I-65 and Vietnam Veterans Boulevard, offering direct interstate access and generally lower housing costs than the southern suburbs.
Mount Juliet
Mount Juliet is located east of Nashville along I-40 and is one of the few suburbs with a WeGo Star commuter rail station, giving residents a transit option in addition to driving.
Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro sits southeast of Nashville along I-24 and has one of the larger rental inventories in the metro, with pricing that tends to run lower than the southern suburbs closer to the city.
Smyrna and La Vergne
Smyrna and La Vergne are also along the I-24 corridor and offer some of the most affordable rental options in the metro, though this corridor is frequently cited as one of the more congested routes into downtown during peak hours.
Gallatin
Gallatin sits further north along I-65 and offers a lower average cost of housing, with a longer average drive time than closer-in suburbs like Hendersonville.
Average Commute Times from Popular Nashville Suburbs
Drive times vary by traffic, time of day, and exact route, so treat the ranges below as a general planning guide rather than a guarantee for any specific trip.
| Suburb | Interstate Corridor | Typical Off-Peak Commute | Typical Rush-Hour Commute |
| Brentwood | I-65 | 15-20 minutes | 30-45 minutes |
| Franklin | I-65 | 20-30 minutes | 45-60 minutes |
| Hendersonville | I-65 | 20-30 minutes | 30-45 minutes |
| Mount Juliet | I-40 | 25-30 minutes | 35-45 minutes |
| Murfreesboro | I-24 | 30-40 minutes | 45-65 minutes |
| Smyrna/La Vergne | I-24 | 25-35 minutes | 40-55 minutes |
| Gallatin | I-65 | 30-35 minutes | 40-50 minutes |
These figures reflect ranges reported across multiple local commute guides and real estate data sources current as of 2026 and can shift with ongoing road construction, transit changes, and traffic patterns.
Cost of Living and Apartment Rent by Suburb
Rent varies significantly by suburb, unit size, and how recently a property was built. Based on recent listing data from multiple rental platforms, average apartment rents across these suburbs generally fall into the following ranges:
| Suburb | Approximate Average Rent (All Unit Sizes) |
| Franklin | $1,900-$2,300 |
| Brentwood | $2,600-$3,600 |
| Murfreesboro | $1,500-$2,050 |
| Hendersonville | $1,900-$2,200 |
| Mount Juliet | $2,000-$2,400 |
| Gallatin | $1,700-$1,900 |
| Smyrna/La Vergne | $1,500-$1,900 |
Average rents represent broad market estimates and may vary based on unit size, lease term, property age, amenities, and current availability.
Rental pricing changes month to month based on inventory and demand, so these ranges should be treated as a general reference point rather than a current quote. A local agent can pull real-time listings for a specific suburb and unit type.
How an Apartment Locator Can Help You Compare Nashville Suburbs
Comparing suburbs on paper only goes so far. Drive times shift depending on the exact route and departure time, rental inventory changes weekly, and a listing’s advertised price doesn’t always reflect current specials or fees. An apartment locator service can pull current, real-time listings across multiple suburbs at once, flag which communities have availability that matches a specific budget or floor plan, and help identify which corridor could make sense for a given workplace location, rather than relying on general reputation alone. This can save significant time compared to searching suburb by suburb on individual listing sites.
Find the Right Nashville Suburb with Confidence
Choosing among the suburbs of Nashville, TN, comes down to weighing commute time, monthly rent, and interstate access against what actually fits a renter’s day-to-day schedule and budget. Nashville Apartment Locators works with renters across the metro, including Franklin, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, Mount Juliet, Smyrna, and Gallatin, to compare current listings and pricing side by side. Our licensed local agents can help you compare suburbs based on commute needs and budget, and can schedule in-person or virtual tours once you’ve identified a shortlist. Explore available homes and see if they meet your needs. The search and guidance are provided at no cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Nashville suburb has the shortest commute to downtown?
Brentwood generally offers one of the shorter drive times into downtown among the surrounding suburbs, particularly outside of peak traffic hours, though exact commute times depend on the specific route and workplace location.
Is it cheaper to rent an apartment outside of Nashville?
In many cases, yes. Suburbs such as Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, and Gallatin have generally posted lower average rents than the downtown core and some of the closer-in southern suburbs, based on recent listing data. Pricing varies by unit size and property, so it’s worth comparing specific listings rather than relying on citywide averages alone.
Can I find apartments near major employers in the Nashville area?
Yes. Many suburbs sit along interstate corridors that connect to employment centers both downtown and in surrounding business districts. A local agent can help identify available listings near a specific workplace or corridor.
Are Nashville suburbs a good choice if I work remotely a few days a week?
For renters who aren’t commuting into downtown daily, a suburb with a longer average drive time may still be a practical option, since the added time only applies on the days an in-office visit is needed. This can open up suburbs with lower rent that might not make sense for a full five-day commute.
Disclaimer:
Nashville Apartment Locators support Equal Housing Opportunity. Renters are encouraged to independently evaluate neighborhoods, schools, transportation options, amenities, and other factors important to their housing decisions.
Housing availability, rental rates, fees, and leasing policies are subject to change and are determined by individual property owners and management companies. Nashville Apartment Locators is a licensed real estate brokerage providing apartment locating services in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local fair housing laws. In most cases, participating properties pay a referral commission after a lease is signed, so services are typically provided at no cost to renters.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.
