Last updated: August 2026

If you live in Nashville and have started looking south toward Franklin, Brentwood, or Thompson’s Station, one of the first questions is usually the same:

How much more does it actually cost to live in Williamson County?

The short answer is that Williamson County is generally more expensive than Nashville, and housing is the biggest reason why.

In June 2026, the median home sale price in Williamson County was approximately $997,000, compared with about $491,000 in Davidson County. But that countywide number doesn’t tell the whole story. Certain Nashville neighborhoods and ZIP codes already have home prices well above $1 million, so the financial jump can look very different depending on where you’re starting.

And there is one part of the equation that surprises a lot of Nashville homeowners: property tax rates can actually be lower in Williamson County.

Here’s what to know before deciding whether a move from Nashville to Williamson County makes sense for you.

Is Williamson County More Expensive Than Nashville?

Overall, yes.

MIT’s 2026 Living Wage Calculator estimates that a single adult would need approximately $60,016 in annual pre-tax income to cover its defined basic living expenses in Williamson County, compared with about $51,243 in Davidson County.

For a household with two working adults and two children, MIT estimates required pre-tax household income of approximately $118,443 in Williamson County versus $106,706 in Davidson County. Those figures include housing, food, childcare, transportation, healthcare, internet and other basic expenses.

These are benchmarks rather than predictions of what a particular household will spend, but they illustrate the broader difference pretty well.

The biggest gap is housing.

Housing Costs in Williamson County vs. Nashville

Housing is where the cost-of-living difference becomes most noticeable.

Redfin reported a $997,177 median sale price in Williamson County in June 2026, compared with $490,616 in Davidson County during the same period.

Within Williamson County, there is also a significant range.

Area	Median Sale Price, June 2026
Thompson’s Station	$850,717
Franklin	$863,530
Williamson County overall	$997,177
Brentwood	$1,426,724
Davidson County	$490,616

Redfin’s June 2026 data shows Franklin at approximately $864,000, Thompson’s Station at $851,000, and Brentwood at roughly $1.43 million.

That doesn’t mean every house in Williamson County costs close to $1 million. Property type, age, lot size, location, new construction, renovations, and the specific community can move that number considerably in either direction.

It does mean buyers moving south should generally expect a higher entry point for homeownership.

But the Nashville-to-Williamson County Comparison Can Be Misleading

This is where I think a countywide comparison can sometimes scare Nashville homeowners unnecessarily.

If you’re selling a home in a more expensive Nashville ZIP code, you may already be living in a market with seven-figure pricing.

For example, Redfin’s July 2026 data showed median sale prices around $1.10 million in 37205, $1.20 million in 37204, and $1.45 million in 37215.

So while Williamson County is considerably more expensive than Davidson County as a whole, someone selling a higher-value Nashville property may experience a much smaller price gap when moving to Franklin, Brentwood, or Thompson’s Station.

That’s why I wouldn’t make this decision using county averages alone.

The better comparison is:

What could your current Nashville home realistically sell for, what would you likely net from the sale, and what does that amount buy in the specific Williamson County communities you’re considering?

That answer is far more useful than comparing two median prices.

What Does It Cost to Buy a Home in Franklin, TN?

Franklin continues to offer one of the broadest ranges of housing options within Williamson County.

In June 2026, Franklin’s median home sale price was approximately $863,530, up 5.3% from the same period the year before.

Within Franklin, however, pricing can vary dramatically based on location, lot size, age, renovations, architectural style and whether you’re looking at an established neighborhood or newer construction.

That range is one reason Franklin frequently enters the conversation for Nashville homeowners considering a move south. There isn’t one single version of Franklin real estate.

What Does It Cost to Live in Brentwood, TN?

Brentwood generally carries the highest housing costs among the three Williamson County communities I work with most often.

The median sale price reached approximately $1.43 million in June 2026, according to Redfin.

Buyers considering Brentwood should evaluate the entire monthly housing cost rather than concentrating solely on purchase price. Taxes, insurance, any HOA fees, utilities, maintenance and the property’s age and condition all matter when comparing two homes.

A $1.4 million home can have a very different ownership cost from another property at the same price.

What Does It Cost to Live in Thompson’s Station, TN?

Thompson’s Station can offer a different price point within Williamson County, particularly when compared with Brentwood.

The median sale price was approximately $850,717 in June 2026, according to Redfin.

The area includes both established properties and newer development, so buyers can encounter very different homes within the same general market.

For Nashville homeowners who have started wanting more square footage, a different lot configuration, newer construction, or simply a different setting, Thompson’s Station is often worth including in the broader Williamson County search.

Property Taxes: Williamson County vs. Nashville

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of the cost comparison.

A higher-priced home does not automatically mean a higher property tax rate.

Tennessee residential property is assessed at 25% of appraised value, and the local tax rate is then applied to that assessed amount.

For 2026, Williamson County reports total tax rates of approximately:

Franklin outside the Franklin Special School District: $1.566 per $100 of assessed value
Franklin within FSSD: $2.2433
Brentwood: $1.49
Thompson’s Station: $1.403

Rates vary by location and taxing district.

Metro Nashville’s 2026 rate is $2.814 per $100 of assessed value in the Urban Services District and $2.782 in the General Services District.

To put that into perspective, consider a hypothetical home appraised at $1 million.

At a 25% residential assessment, the taxable assessed value would be $250,000.

Using the published 2026 rates, the approximate annual property tax would be:

Thompson’s Station: $3,508
Brentwood: $3,725
Franklin outside FSSD: $3,915
Franklin within FSSD: $5,608
Nashville Urban Services District: $7,035

Those are simplified examples and aren’t a substitute for checking the tax record on a specific property. Special districts, exemptions, appraisal changes and property location can affect the actual bill.

The important takeaway is that Williamson County home prices are generally higher, while the property tax rate may be lower depending on the location.

What About Rent?

Renting also tends to cost more in Williamson County.

U.S. Census Bureau data for 2020–2024 reports median gross rent of $1,969 in Williamson County versus $1,582 in Davidson County.

Those Census figures are multi-year estimates rather than today’s asking rents, but they reinforce the same general pattern seen in the ownership market: housing tends to consume a larger share of the budget in Williamson County.

Groceries, Transportation and Everyday Expenses

The difference outside housing is much less dramatic, but it isn’t nonexistent.

MIT’s 2026 model estimates annual food expenses for a two-working-adult household with two children at approximately $15,251 in Williamson County versus $14,088 in Davidson County.

Transportation is estimated at approximately $16,406 versus $14,269, respectively. In the same example, MIT’s estimated childcare and medical expenses are essentially the same in both counties.

In other words, your grocery bill probably isn’t the reason a move to Williamson County changes your budget.

Your house is.

And depending on where you work and how often you’re commuting into Nashville, transportation can become another meaningful consideration.

What About the Commute From Williamson County to Nashville?

The Census Bureau reports an average commute of 27.9 minutes for Williamson County workers versus 24.7 minutes for Davidson County workers based on 2020–2024 data.

That statistic shouldn’t be interpreted as your expected commute from Franklin, Brentwood, or Thompson’s Station into downtown Nashville. Actual drive times can be considerably different depending on your exact starting point, destination and time of day.

For anyone planning to continue working in Nashville, I recommend testing the commute at the time you would actually make it rather than relying exclusively on mileage.

Tennessee’s Lack of a State Income Tax Helps Both Sides of the Comparison

One cost advantage doesn’t change when you cross the Davidson-Williamson County line.

Tennessee does not impose a state income tax on earned income. The former Hall income tax was fully repealed in 2021.

So the major financial differences between Nashville and Williamson County come down much more to housing, property taxes, transportation and individual lifestyle expenses than state income tax.

Income Is Also Higher in Williamson County

It’s useful to put the higher cost of living into context.

The Census Bureau reports median household income of approximately $135,594 in Williamson County, compared with $77,853 in Davidson County, based on 2020–2024 estimates in 2024 dollars.

That doesn’t make Williamson County inexpensive.

It does show why cost-of-living comparisons need context. Housing prices, household income and ownership patterns are all different between the two counties.

So, Is Moving From Nashville to Williamson County More Expensive?

Usually, yes.

But for a Nashville homeowner, that isn’t necessarily the right question.

The better question is:

What does moving to Williamson County cost after accounting for the equity in your current Nashville home?

Someone who purchased in Nashville several years ago may have equity that materially changes the math.

For example, a homeowner could sell a Nashville property, use the proceeds toward the next purchase, and end up with a significantly different financing picture than someone purchasing the same Williamson County home without a property to sell.

That’s why I like to run both sides of the move before a homeowner starts seriously shopping.

First, determine a realistic potential sale price and estimated net proceeds for the current Nashville home.

Then compare those numbers with actual homes in Franklin, Brentwood, Thompson’s Station or whichever communities you’re considering.

Sometimes the numbers work better than expected.

Sometimes they show that waiting makes more sense.

Either way, you have real information instead of guessing.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cost of Living in Williamson County

Is Williamson County, Tennessee expensive to live in?

Williamson County generally costs more to live in than Davidson County and Tennessee overall, with housing accounting for much of the difference. MIT’s 2026 Living Wage Calculator estimates higher required income for several household types in Williamson County than in Davidson County.

Is Williamson County more expensive than Nashville?

Generally, yes. The median Williamson County home sold for approximately $997,000 in June 2026, compared with approximately $491,000 in Davidson County. Everyday expenses show a smaller difference than housing.

Is Franklin, TN more expensive than Nashville?

Based on current countywide and citywide housing data, Franklin homes generally sell at a higher median price than homes across Nashville and Davidson County. Franklin’s June 2026 median sale price was approximately $864,000.

Is Brentwood more expensive than Franklin?

Current home prices are generally higher in Brentwood. Redfin reported a June 2026 median sale price of approximately $1.43 million in Brentwood versus approximately $864,000 in Franklin.

Is Thompson’s Station cheaper than Franklin or Brentwood?

Median home sale prices in Thompson’s Station were below Brentwood and slightly below Franklin in June 2026. Thompson’s Station’s median was approximately $851,000, but individual properties and neighborhoods vary considerably.

Are property taxes higher in Williamson County than Nashville?

Not necessarily. Published 2026 property tax rates in Franklin, Brentwood and Thompson’s Station are generally lower than Nashville’s Urban Services District rate, although the higher value of Williamson County homes can still result in substantial annual tax bills. Franklin Special School District properties also have an additional tax component.

How much income do you need to live in Williamson County?

There isn’t one income that applies to everyone. MIT’s 2026 Living Wage Calculator estimates approximately $60,016 in required annual pre-tax income for one adult and approximately $118,443 for a household with two working adults and two children, based on its basic-needs methodology.

Can I sell my Nashville home and buy in Williamson County at the same time?

Yes. The strategy depends on your equity, financing, timing, current market conditions and whether you need proceeds from your Nashville sale to purchase the next property. Understanding your estimated net proceeds before you begin shopping can make the process much easier to plan.

Should I sell my Nashville home before buying in Franklin or Brentwood?

Not automatically. Some homeowners need to sell first, while others have the financial flexibility to purchase before their current home closes. The right structure depends on your specific financial position and the market conditions surrounding both properties.

Thinking About Moving From Nashville to Williamson County?

If you’ve started looking at Franklin, Brentwood, Thompson’s Station, or another part of Williamson County, you don’t need to wait until you’re ready to list your Nashville home to start running the numbers.

One of the most useful things we can do early is determine what your current home could realistically sell for, what you could expect to net, and what that puts within reach on the buying side.

That gives you a much clearer picture of whether the move makes sense now, six months from now, or farther down the road.

I help homeowners navigate both sides of that transition, from preparing and positioning a Nashville home for sale to finding the next property throughout Williamson County and the greater Nashville area.

About the Author

Tate is a Nashville-area real estate agent helping homeowners sell throughout Nashville and buy in Franklin, Brentwood, Thompson’s Station, Williamson County, and surrounding Middle Tennessee communities.

With a focus on thoughtful pricing strategy, local market knowledge, and clear communication, Tate helps clients understand the full picture of a move, including home value, potential sale proceeds, buying power, timing, and how to coordinate selling and purchasing.

Follow @realestate_tate for Nashville and Williamson County real estate insight, neighborhood guides, local recommendations, and homes worth knowing.

Real estate market data changes frequently. Housing figures in this article reflect the most recent data available at the time of publication in August 2026. Property tax examples are for general informational purposes and should be verified for the specific property and taxing district.