About Franklin, Tennessee

If you’re looking for upscale homes without the hassle and traffic found near the suburbs adjacent to downtown Nashville, then Franklin is your ideal suburban experience. Located square in Williamson County (of which Franklin is the county seat), Franklin is known for its downtown historic Victorian single-family homes and the sprawling lots with farmhouse-style homes on multiple acres. Everything about Franklin sparkles with a touch of class that caters mostly to high-income white-collar workers. Perhaps that’s why people who move to Franklin are usually there to stay. Historic downtown Franklin is known for being America's favorite main street and is lined with trendy boutiques and restaurants. Cool Springs is Franklin's main commercial center where you can find new construction single-family homes with desirable open floorplans as well as condos and townhomes.

Where Is Franklin Located?

Franklin is located approximately 20 miles south of Nashville. Its location directly adjacent to I-65 allows for an easy, straightforward commute to downtown.

How’s The Vibe In Franklin?

Franklin offers the best of both worlds for many folks interested in making the move to the greater Nashville area. Its close proximity to the excitement of downtown, combined with its quiet, picturesque suburban life, makes this area a top choice for families, couples, and retirees with middle-to-upper incomes. Because resident satisfaction is so high, Money.com ranked Franklin #8 on its Top 50 Best Places to Live list.

What’s The Food + Nightlife Scene Like In Franklin?

Franklin’s Historic Main Street is a favorite of residents. Featuring the famous Kilwins candy shop and the restaurant/music venue hybrid Gray’s on Main, Franklin has so much to explore! Residents of Franklin also have convenient access to one of Nashville’s best malls, Cool Springs Galleria.

Sample delicious Southern cooking at Americana Taphouse, Biscuit Love, Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant, and Tupelo Honey. For a more upscale experience, dine at Red Pony Restaurant or 55 South and enjoy some unique, creative dishes. A hidden downtown Franklin gem is the rolled ice cream and poke bowls of T-OP Cold Grill Ice Cream. For some of the best quesadillas in the area, head to Sopapillas, voted Best Mexican Restaurant for 3 consecutive years. The famous Frothy Monkey coffee shop is a favorite hangout for residents (and Taylor Swift!), while Five Daughters Bakery is a go-to for mouthwatering desserts.

Franklin is home to several unique, locally-owned shops that feature some of Nashville’s most creative and interesting finds. Antique collectors will fall in love with Scarlett Scales Antiques and the Franklin Antique Mall, both offering a plethora of fascinating finds. Heart and Hands features solely handmade, carefully-crafted items, while the boutique JONDIE offers a multitude of chic clothing options along with personal styling services.

The Factory is one of Franklin’s most popular shopping spots. Located conveniently up the road from downtown Franklin, The Factory houses shops and restaurants that you won’t find at your average mall. Since nearly all of these establishments are unique to Nashville, The Factory provides a very different and interesting shopping experience. Additionally, Franklin’s year-round farmers market is located here.

What Are The Top Things To Do In Franklin?

Downtown Franklin is a major draw for locals and tourists alike. In fact, Franklin receives nearly 1.5 million tourists per year who come for the rich historic culture and entertainment. Civil war history from the Battle of Franklin is on display at Lotz House, Carter House, and Carnton and more recent history can be observed by visiting the Franklin Theatre. We'd also recommend taking a trip to Leiper’s Fork, a village in Franklin known for its picturesque scenery, small-town feel, and Leiper’s Fork Distillery. For those who prefer more commercial activities, the Cool Springs Galleria is a great shopping destination filled with everything from local boutiques to corporate brands and restaurants.

How’s The Real Estate Market In Franklin?

Over two-thirds of residents own their homes, and most have made a substantial financial commitment to secure their future in one of Tennessee’s most coveted communities. Single-family homes in Franklin sell for just under $350 per square foot on average. This is significantly more expensive than the conventional suburban Nashville single-family home—which has led to a median sale price of just under $900,000 over the past year. Houses often spend a couple of weeks to a month on the market, but the offers they garner seldom come in below the list price. Buyers simply understand the value of belonging to this community. If you’re looking to enjoy this luxurious lifestyle without making a large down payment, new apartment complexes like Harpeth River Oaks offer options for around $2,000 per month. Either way, you choose to experience Franklin, though, few regret the time they spend here.

Franklin's convenient location, just a 25-minute drive from downtown Nashville is a huge appeal. Residents of the historic downtown Franklin neighborhoods, like the homes along West Main Street, can live well while hardly ever sitting behind the wheel of a car. Another tasteful touch somewhat uncommon to southern cities is Franklin’s commitment to accessible parks. Pinkerton Park and The Park at Harlinsdale Farm are both centrally-located greenspaces nestled along the meandering Harpeth River. Features like these, when coupled with the city’s top-notch Williamson County schools, make Franklin a magnet for families.

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How’s The Cost Of Living In Franklin?

Franklin’s cost of living is on the expensive side, coming in at 38.5% above the national average cost. Affordable options exist, but can be extremely difficult to find.

How Is Transportation In Franklin?

Nearly all Franklin residents travel by their own vehicles. However, Franklin Transit is a viable option residents can potentially utilize, as well as the typical Lyft and Uber services.

What Are The Top Schools In Franklin?

Many families move to Franklin specifically for their well-regarded schools. Williamson County is known as the best school district in Tennessee and features a few nationally-ranked schools. Ravenwood High, Franklin High, and Independence High all rank in the Top 5 public high schools in Tennessee and have made national lists. For younger grades, Kenrose Elementary and Woodland Middle schools also rank top in the state.

If considering private schools, Battleground Academy is considered to be one of the best private schools in Tennessee.

What Are The Best Parks In Franklin?

The Park at Harlinsdale Farm is a spacious landscape of rolling hills that features a large pond for fishing and a dog park for furry friends.

The smaller One Franklin Park has a small pond, amphitheater, large green area, covered picnic area with fireplace, and putting green–a perfect spot to host an outdoor get-together!

Pinkerton Park and Liberty Park offer playgrounds, picnic areas, jogging paths, and restful green spaces to relax. Additionally, Liberty Park has disc golf courses and a baseball field.

Is Franklin A Safe Place To Live?

Franklin ranks in the Top 5 of the Safest Cities in Tennessee, with crime rates well below the nation’s average.

Pros To Living In Franklin

• Franklin is one of the most popular Tennessee cities and has a beautiful and historic downtown.
• Franklin is perfect for families. It has a safe environment, and an excellent school system.
• Franklin has a mix of lovely suburban settings with pretty parks as well as charming attractions, great shopping, and restaurants.

Cons To Living In Franklin

• A major con is Franklin’s high cost of living. Affordable options can be tricky to find, so this area may not be suitable for young professionals or lower-income families.
• Commuting from Franklin to Downtown Nashville during rush hour can be congested with traffic and take longer than expected.
• There’s not as much nightlife in Franklin compared to the neighborhoods closer to downtown Nashville so young professionals may not find it to be the most suitable option.