Don’t forget about cities near Nashville Tennessee! The Nashville metropolitan area has a population of 2,151,715 people and covers 6,301.9 square miles, according to the US Census. The Nashville metro area is one of the 50 largest metro areas in the country, containing dozens of cities, towns, and census-designated places (CDPs). It’s a sprawling area in North-Central Tennessee, well known for its music venues, top universities, and fun things to do. But the sheer number of towns near Nashville can make it hard to find the right places to visit.
Start by taking a look at the biggest cities near Nashville Tennessee. Then take a look at some moderately-sized and smaller towns that offer small-town charm and unique things to do. Once you’ve learned about the closest cities and towns in Nashville Tennessee, you can enjoy great day trips, local shops, and other amenities in no time. Here is your guide to cities near Nashville Tennessee, including small towns by Nashville TN.
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Largest Cities Near Nashville Tennessee
The largest cities near Nashville Tennessee are within 35 miles of Downtown Nashville. These cities in Nashville TN have a population of at least 40,000 people. The largest cities near Nashville Tennessee have terrific features and amenities like historic downtowns, major colleges, and other features you can find in large cities. Here are the six largest cities near Nashville Tennessee.
Murfreesboro – 33.3 Miles From Nashville
- Murfreesboro population: 152,769
- Murfreesboro county: Rutherford County
Murfreesboro is the largest city near Nashville, and it’s the nearest city to Nashville with a population of over 150,000 people. It’s the largest Nashville suburb, and it’s currently the sixth-largest city in Tennessee. The city is best known for being home to Middle Tennessee State University. US News ranks Middle Tennessee State University in the top 300 national universities and top 150 public schools in the country. The city is also home to the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, the largest mosque and Islamic center in Tennessee and in cities near Nashville Tennessee.
The Murfreesboro cost of living is lower than the national average, so you can save money by shopping at stores in Murfreesboro. The city is also home to many affordable things to do, including Earth Experience, the Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History. Earth Experience contains dinosaur fossils and archaeological artifacts from Africa, Antarctica, and other parts of the world. You can visit many neighborhoods in Murfreesboro TN, including Savannah Ridge and Indian Hills, which have walking trails and locally run grocery stores. History buffs can visit Stones River National Battlefield, just a short drive from Murfreesboro, which was the site of the Battle of Stones River.
Franklin – 18.4 Miles From Nashville
- Franklin population: 83,454
- Franklin county: Williamson County
Franklin is the seventh-largest city in Tennessee and the largest city in Williamson County. Franklin is also the county seat of Williamson County, so you can find county buildings and courts in the city. Franklin is best known for being the site of the Battle of Franklin, a Civil War battle that was a major victory for the Union Army. You can visit several attractions related to the Battle of Franklin, including the Eastern Flank Battlefield Park, which covers 110 acres and was the site of most of the action during the battle. Fort Granger covers 14.5 acres and contains trenches dug by troops on both sides of the Civil War.
Franklin is also well known for its active social calendar with many festivals throughout the year. Pumpkinfest takes place on the Saturday before Halloween, and it is the largest fall festival in Middle Tennessee. Pumpkinfest is home to over 170 vendors, a beer garden for adults, and live music and entertainment for children. The Main Street Festival takes place every April and offers a pop-up dog park, acoustic musical performances, and over 30 food and drink vendors.
Hendersonville – 15.5 Miles From Nashville
- Hendersonville population: 61,753
- Hendersonville county: Sumner County
Hendersonville is the largest city in Sumner County, and it’s one of the 10 largest cities in Tennessee. The city is well known for being a hub for country and rock music, with Johnny and June Cash, Roy Orbison, and Taylor Swift all having homes in the city. It’s also well known as a hub for boating and water activities. It has extensive shorelines along Old Hickory Lake and the Cumberland River, and you can find various boat ramps and marinas in the city, including Sun Life Marinas – Drakes Creek.
Hendersonville contains many top restaurants, providing dining experiences you can’t find in cities in Nashville TN. Moby Dicky’s is a casual sports bar that also serves seafood and burgers. The Rudder is a popular seafood restaurant and the top venue for happy hour, serving discounted drinks and snacks with a rotating calendar of live music performances. If you want to visit a romantic restaurant, you can eat at Cafe Rakka, a Syrian and Mediterranean restaurant that serves moussaka, baba ghanoush, and hummus bowls.
Smyrna – 21.4 Miles From Nashville
- Smyrna population: 53,070
- Smyrna county: Rutherford County
Smyrna is the largest town in Tennessee, though it’s often grouped in with cities near Nashville Tennessee, and towns surrounding Nashville TN. It’s the fifth-largest city or town in the Nashville metro area. Smyrna is home to the Nissan Smyrna Assembly Plant, the largest car assembly plant in the United States. Smyrna is also home to many top kid-friendly things to do, including unique attractions you can’t find in other major cities near Nashville Tennessee.
The Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center is an outdoor family-friendly complex with climbing walls, an ice skating rink, and a swimming pool with water slides. The Kidz Adventure Center Smyrna TN is an indoor point of interest with a climbing wall, a ball pit, a seed pit, and interactive games, with admission costing $12. The Smyrna Bowling Center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it contains 52 bowling lanes.
Brentwood – 9.4 Miles From Nashville
- Brentwood population: 45,373
- Brentwood county: Williamson County
Brentwood is the only major city within 10 miles of Nashville. It contains fewer attractions than the other cities near Nashville Tennessee, and it’s best known for being an affluent, upscale suburb of Nashville. It’s a prime location for businesspeople and families with young children to live in and visit. According to the US Census, Brentwood has a median household income of $182,088, nearly three times the Tennessee median. According to Redfin, the median price of Brentwood homes for sale is $1,610,375, the highest among cities near Nashville Tennessee. However, many Brentwood homes for sale are upscale and luxurious, with swimming pools, indoor gyms, and Jack-and-Jill baths.
Brentwood is one of the top cities near Nashville Tennessee for golfers and retirees. Brentwood is home to The Governors Club, one of the top private country clubs in Tennessee. The Governors Club has an 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, a resort-style swimming pool, and a cabana bar. It’s also home to the Brentwood Country Club, a family-friendly club with swimming teams and golf camps for kids. Adults can enjoy meals in a private wine room and other scenic locations.
Gallatin – 29.1 Miles From Nashville
- Gallatin population: 44,431
- Gallatin county: Sumner County
Gallatin is one of the fastest-growing cities near Nashville Tennessee. Between 1990 and 2020, the Gallatin population more than doubled, and the population grew by 44.6% between 2010 and 2020. It’s becoming increasingly popular among commuters to Nashville and nearby cities, though it’s also popular among college students. Gallatin is home to Volunteer State Community College, which offers over 100 programs of study, more than in other colleges in the surrounding cities of Nashville TN.
You can visit several restaurants that serve the best BBQ in Nashville TN surrounding cities. Top Hog BBQ serves ribs, catfish, pulled pork, and burgers. Platters with a meat and two sides cost less than $15, making Top Hog BBQ one of the most affordable restaurants in cities in Nashville TN. Edley’s BBQ specializes in Nashville-style barbecue, with smoked meats that have habanero pepper BBQ sauce. Edley’s also serves hot chicken and smoked turkey.
Other Cities in Nashville TN
These CDPs, towns, and cities in Nashville have a population between 5,000 and 40,000 residents and are located within a 35 mile distance from Nashville. While they are smaller than the major cities near Nashville Tennessee, these other cities near Nashville Tennessee still offer hiking trails, historic squares, vibrant nightlife scenes, and other attractions that are worth visiting. For example, Lebanon, Tennessee is home to the Nashville Superspeedway, where NASCAR and IndyCar Series events take place.
| Community Name | County | Population | Distance from Nashville in Miles |
| Forest Hills | Davidson | 5,038 | 8.4 |
| Goodlettsville | Davidson and Sumner | 17,789 | 12.5 |
| Green Hill | Wilson | 6,518 | 15.2 |
| Nolensville | Williamson | 13,829 | 16.5 |
| Millersville | Robertson and Sumner | 6,229 | 16.6 |
| Mt. Juliet | Wilson | 39,289 | 17.4 |
| La Vergne | Rutherford | 38,719 | 17.5 |
| Ashland City | Cheatham | 5,689 | 19.6 |
| Greenbrier | Robertson | 6,898 | 21.7 |
| Fairview | Williamson | 9,357 | 25.9 |
| White House | Robertson and Sumner | 12,982 | 25.9 |
| Springfield | Robertson | 18,782 | 27.9 |
| Lebanon | Wilson | 38,431 | 30.4 |
Map of Cities Near Nashville Tennessee and Surrounding Areas
You can use this map of cities near Nashville Tennessee and the surrounding area to find great towns near Nashville, including top things to do like Lebanon State Park!
Small Cities and Towns in Tennessee Near Nashville
These small towns and cities near Nashville Tennessee have populations of less than 5,000 and are within 35 miles of Nashville. Many of these small cities near Nashville TN and towns close to Nashville TN offer affordable housing options, rolling hills, and natural beauty you can’t find in bigger cities near Nashville Tennessee, making them suitable to live in or visit.
| Community Name | County | Population | Distance From Nashville in Miles |
| Berry Hill | Davidson | 2,112 | 3.8 |
| Oak Hill | Davidson | 4,891 | 6.1 |
| Belle Meade | Davidson | 2,901 | 7.2 |
| Pegram | Cheatham | 2,072 | 18.6 |
| Shackle Island | Sumner | 3,331 | 19.2 |
| Ridgetop | Davidson and Robertson | 2,155 | 19.5 |
| Rural Hill | Wilson | 2,047 | 19.7 |
| Kingston Springs | Cheatham | 2,824 | 23.3 |
| Coopertown | Robertson | 4,480 | 24.6 |
| Pleasant View | Cheatham | 4,807 | 24.7 |
| Cottontown | Sumner and Robertson | 370 | 28.7 |
| White Bluff | Dickson | 3,862 | 29.9 |
| Walterhill | Rutherford | 407 | 30.9 |
| Cross Plains | Robertson | 1,789 | 30.9 |
Major Cities Near Nashville
These major cities near Nashville Tennessee have populations of at least 100,000 people and are within 300 miles of Nashville. They are among the best areas to live near Nashville TN, and they are within driving distance from Nashville. These cities near Nashville Tennessee are great for weekend getaways, as they’re home to museums, amusement parks, outdoor activities, and other family-friendly things to do. They’re also great to visit for business trips, as each of these cities has a growing economy. Visiting these cities close to Nashville can help you understand the Southeastern and Midwestern regions better.
| Name of City | Population | Distance From Nashville in Miles |
| Clarksville, TN | 166,722 | 46.6 |
| Huntsville, AL | 215,006 | 108 |
| Evansville, IN | 118,414 | 118 |
| Chattanooga, TN | 181,096 | 134 |
| Louisville, KY | 633,045 | 175 |
| Knoxville, TN | 190,740 | 180 |
| Birmingham, AL | 196,357 | 191 |
| Nashville, TN | 689,447 | 212 |
| Atlanta, GA | 498,715 | 250 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 309,317 | 272 |
| Montgomery, AL | 200,603 | 280 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 887,642 | 288 |
| St. Louis, MO | 301,578 | 294 |
Nashville Area Cities FAQs
What Cities Are 30 Minutes From Nashville?
Franklin (about 21 miles south via I-65), Murfreesboro (roughly 34 miles southeast via I-24), Hendersonville (18 miles northeast), and Brentwood (10 miles south) are all within a 30-minute drive from Nashville. Other nearby communities include Smyrna, Gallatin, and Lebanon, all offering suburban or small-city living within commuting distance. However, your drive may take longer depending on your route and traffic conditions. Be sure to check the traffic conditions before driving to or from cities and towns near Nashville.
What Are the Closest Cities to Nashville?
The closest cities to Nashville include Berry Hill, Oak Hill, and Forest Hills, all of which are within 10 miles of Nashville. Brentwood is the closest city to Nashville with a large population, being located 9.4 miles away from Nashville. Hendersonville and Franklin are also large cities near Nashville, roughly 15 miles away on major highways, creating a short commute and easy access.
What Towns Are One Hour From Nashville?
Several towns are within about a one-hour drive of Nashville, depending on traffic and route. Examples include Clarksville (about 50 miles northwest via I-24), Columbia (roughly 45 miles south via US-31), and Cookeville (around 80 miles east via I-40). Bowling Green is also near the one-hour range at approximately 70 miles north. Actual travel times for these towns near Nashville vary based on congestion, especially during peak commuting hours.
What Cities Are Near Nashville TN?
Several cities and towns are located near Nashville, Tennessee, making them popular for commuting, living, and visiting. Nearby cities include Franklin about 20 miles south, Murfreesboro, about 35 miles southeast, Hendersonville, roughly 18 miles northeast, and Brentwood, just south of Nashville. Other nearby communities include Gallatin, Mount Juliet, Smyrna, and Lebanon. Most are within a 15- to 45-minute drive of downtown Nashville, depending on traffic and location.
Start Moving to Cities Near Nashville Tennessee
The Nashville metro area and cities near Nashville Tennessee have so much to offer! Major, bustling cities like Murfreesboro and Franklin are great places to live in, visit on day trips, and vacation in. If you want to enjoy a small-town ambiance and great outdoor destinations, you can visit towns near Nashville like Mt. Juliet and Goodlettsville. Major cities in the Southeast and Midwest, like Clarksville and Memphis, are also within driving distance of Nashville.
Now that you’ve seen what cities near Nashville Tennessee are like, you can start planning your move to the area, and our Nashville local movers can coordinate travel time, parking, and property access to keep moving day on schedule.
As you plan your relocation, our packing and unpacking help can make settling into your new Nashville-area home easier. 6th Man Movers has the best Nashville movers, with over 10 years of experience relocating singles, couples, and families in cities near Nashville Tennessee, and towns near Nashville. Call 615-434-8272 for a free estimate now.
