Most Nashville neighborhood guides tell you where to eat brunch. This one tells you something more useful: which neighborhoods have the best public schools, which are the safest, and exactly what the median home costs in each one.
We analyzed 90+ Nashville neighborhoods using school quality data (rated 1–10) and crime grades (A+ through F). Then we ranked them. If you're buying with kids, relocating for a job, or just trying to figure out where your money goes furthest on both metrics simultaneously, this is the reference you've been looking for.
Elite Tier — School Rating 9–10
Eleven Nashville neighborhoods hit a school rating of 9 or 10 out of 10. These are the zones where public school performance is genuinely exceptional — and the home prices reflect it. Even the most "affordable" neighborhoods in this tier (Franklin, Brentwood) sit above $500k median. But if schools are your top priority and budget isn't the limiting factor, this is your shortlist.
Belle Meade — Schools: 10/10 · Crime: A+
The only neighborhood in Nashville that earns a perfect 10 on school rating and an A+ crime grade simultaneously. Belle Meade is Nashville's most exclusive enclave — gated estates, tree-lined streets, and a zip code that's long been synonymous with wealth. The median home price of $1.495M reflects that. If you're in this price range, you're getting the best of both metrics the Nashville metro offers.
Brentwood — Schools: 9/10 · Crime: A
Brentwood is where most families with means actually land. It earns a 9/10 school rating, an A crime grade, and the Williamson County school system — consistently one of the top-rated districts in Tennessee — covers most of the area. The median price of $525,000 is steep but not out of reach for dual-income households, and Brentwood delivers the full package: top schools, low crime, established suburban neighborhoods, and easy highway access south of Nashville.
Franklin — Schools: 9/10 · Crime: A
Franklin edges Brentwood slightly on price ($510k median vs. $525k) and matches it exactly on school rating and crime grade. The difference is feel: Franklin has a genuine historic downtown with restaurants, a walkable square, and a strong local identity. Brentwood skews more purely suburban. Both are covered by Williamson County Schools. If you want top school ratings with a bit more walkability and town character, Franklin wins.
Forest Hills — Schools: 9/10 · Crime: A
Forest Hills sits inside the Nashville city limits but feels distinctly separate — wooded, quiet, and residential. School rating 9/10, A crime grade, $895,000 median. This is an established enclave that trades the Brentwood suburban grid for privacy and mature trees. Buyers here tend to be professionals who want top schools and peace, and don't mind paying for both.
Green Hills, Oak Hill, Cherokee Park — Schools: 9/10 · Crime: A-
These three form a cluster of high-performing Nashville neighborhoods south of downtown. All earn a 9/10 school rating and A- crime grade. Green Hills ($735k median) is the most walkable of the three, anchored by the Mall at Green Hills and a strong restaurant corridor. Oak Hill ($835k) and Cherokee Park ($780k) are quieter, more residential. All three are inside Metro Nashville but feel suburban and safe.
Historic Waverly — Schools: 9/10 · Crime: A-
The most accessible neighborhood in the 9-school-rating tier at $545k median. Historic Waverly sits just west of Belmont and offers 9/10 schools and an A- crime grade in a walkable, historic setting. It doesn't have the name recognition of Green Hills or the price tag of Forest Hills, which is exactly why value-focused buyers in the top-school tier should look here first.
Strong Tier — School Rating 8
This is where most families actually end up, and for good reason. An 8/10 school rating still puts your kids in schools that significantly outperform the national average. Crime grades in this tier range from A- (exceptional) to B+ (very good). And critically, the prices here are far more accessible — ranging from $330k in Lenox Village up to $615k in Belmont-Hillsboro.
Spring Hill — Schools: 8/10 · Crime: A-
Spring Hill is the best combination of school rating, crime grade, and relative affordability in the 8-school tier. It earns a rare A- crime grade with an 8/10 school rating — a combination you only find in two neighborhoods at this rating level. The median price of $460,000 is reasonable for what you're getting. Spring Hill is located south of Brentwood, with fast-growing commercial development but a still-suburban feel. The Maury County / Williamson County school zones here are strong.
Hendersonville — Schools: 8/10 · Crime: A-
Hendersonville is the most underrated neighborhood on this entire list. It earns an 8/10 school rating, an A- crime grade, and has a median home price of $385,000 — making it one of the only places in the Nashville metro where you get legitimately top-tier safety and school performance for under $400k. It's northeast of Nashville on Old Hickory Lake, which adds a waterfront character that most suburban neighborhoods lack. The commute to downtown is 30–35 minutes without traffic.
Crieve Hall — Schools: 8/10 · Crime: B+
Crieve Hall is one of Nashville's most established family neighborhoods, sitting just south of downtown between Brentwood and Antioch. It hits 8/10 on school rating, B+ on crime, and $495k on median price. The housing stock is mostly 1960s–1980s ranch homes with good lot sizes. It doesn't have the new construction of Nolensville or the price tag of Green Hills, which is exactly the appeal for buyers who want a real neighborhood with mature trees and established character.
Nolensville — Schools: 8/10 · Crime: B+
Nolensville has become one of Nashville's fastest-growing suburbs for good reason: it delivers 8/10 school ratings and B+ crime grades at a median price of $470,000, with newer construction and master-planned communities that families find appealing. It's southeast of Nashville in Williamson County, which means access to Williamson County Schools — one of the best public school districts in Tennessee.
Mount Juliet — Schools: 8/10 · Crime: B+
Mount Juliet sits east of Nashville on the Wilson County line and offers 8/10 schools and B+ crime at a $405,000 median. It's growing fast — arguably too fast, with traffic on Highway 40 that gets brutal during peak hours. But for buyers who work east of Nashville or work from home, it's one of the best values in the metro on school and crime metrics combined.
Bellevue — Schools: 8/10 · Crime: B+
Bellevue is Nashville's best-kept secret on the west side: 8/10 school rating, B+ crime grade, and a $335,000 median that's among the lowest for this tier. The catch is I-40 traffic heading east to downtown, which is genuinely difficult during rush hour. But if you work west of Nashville or partially remote, Bellevue gives you suburban Nashville life with an actual Nashville address and school ratings that outperform its price point significantly.
Lenox Village — Schools: 8/10 · Crime: B+
Lenox Village is a planned community south of downtown that earns 8/10 school ratings and B+ crime at Nashville's lowest median price in this tier: $330,000. It was built in the early 2000s as a walkable traditional neighborhood design — grid streets, front porches, a small town center. It's more affordable than Nolensville and closer to downtown, which is a trade most buyers would take.
Solid Tier — School Rating 7
A 7/10 school rating is still above average nationally. Nashville has over 50 neighborhoods in this tier, spanning everything from hip walkable urban neighborhoods ($875k in 12 South) to affordable suburban pockets ($170k in Kingston Springs). Crime grades in this tier range widely — from B+ (very good) down to B- (below average for Nashville, though still acceptable for most cities).
Neighborhoods worth highlighting in this tier:
East Nashville — Schools: 7/10 · Crime: B+
East Nashville is the neighborhood that defined Nashville's cultural renaissance — walkable, artsy, full of restaurants and music venues. It earns a 7/10 school rating and B+ crime grade at a $415,000 median. That price has climbed significantly over the past decade and likely isn't done. For buyers who want urban walkability in Nashville, East Nashville remains the benchmark, even as adjacent neighborhoods like Five Points ($575k) and Cleveland Park ($410k) have followed it upward.
Donelson — Schools: 7/10 · Crime: B
Donelson punches above its weight for buyers who prioritize safety and schools without paying Green Hills prices. It earns a 7/10 school rating and B crime grade at a $295,000 median. It sits east of Nashville near the airport, which bothers some buyers and is irrelevant to others. The neighborhood is established, the prices are honest, and the crime grade reflects a genuinely safe community.
Hermitage — Schools: 7/10 · Crime: B
Hermitage offers suburban Nashville on the east side with Percy Priest Lake access. Schools rate 7/10, crime grades at B, median price $350,000. It's one of the most affordable family-oriented neighborhoods within Metro Nashville proper.
The Nations — Schools: 7/10 · Crime: B
The Nations is Nashville's most interesting value story in the walkable/trendy segment. It earns 7/10 schools and a B crime grade at a $400,000 median — and has been appreciating faster than most of the city. Five years ago it was overlooked; today it's a destination. Buyers who got in early did well. Buyers considering it now are paying for that momentum.
Best Value: Strong Schools Under $400,000
If you're looking specifically for the best school rating and crime grade combination at the lowest price point, this is your list. These are the neighborhoods where the metrics outperform the price — the gaps between what you pay and what you get in school quality and safety.
Full Nashville Neighborhood Rankings
The complete table below covers every Nashville neighborhood in our dataset, sorted by school rating (highest to lowest), then crime grade, then price. Use it to compare any neighborhood you're considering against the full metro.
| Neighborhood | Schools | Crime | Median Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belle Meade | 10/10 | A+ | $1,495,000 |
| Brentwood | 9/10 | A | $525,000 |
| Franklin | 9/10 | A | $510,000 |
| Forest Hills | 9/10 | A | $895,000 |
| Hillwood | 9/10 | A- | $855,000 |
| Oak Hill | 9/10 | A- | $835,000 |
| Cherokee Park | 9/10 | A- | $780,000 |
| Green Hills | 9/10 | A- | $735,000 |
| Breeze Hill | 9/10 | A- | $665,000 |
| Historic Waverly | 9/10 | A- | $545,000 |
| West End / Vanderbilt | 9/10 | B+ | $595,000 |
| Spring Hill | 8/10 | A- | $460,000 |
| Hendersonville | 8/10 | A- | $385,000 |
| Belmont-Hillsboro | 8/10 | B+ | $615,000 |
| Sylvan Park | 8/10 | B+ | $605,000 |
| Richland Park | 8/10 | B+ | $555,000 |
| Crieve Hall | 8/10 | B+ | $495,000 |
| Nolensville | 8/10 | B+ | $470,000 |
| Goodlettsville | 8/10 | B+ | $440,000 |
| Mount Juliet | 8/10 | B+ | $405,000 |
| Bellevue | 8/10 | B+ | $335,000 |
| Lenox Village | 8/10 | B+ | $330,000 |
| Sylvan Heights | 8/10 | B | $480,000 |
| 12 South | 7/10 | B+ | $875,000 |
| Historic Edgefield | 7/10 | B+ | $635,000 |
| Five Points | 7/10 | B+ | $575,000 |
| Hillsboro Village | 7/10 | B+ | $535,000 |
| Midtown / Music Row | 7/10 | B+ | $505,000 |
| Tusculum | 7/10 | B+ | $450,000 |
| Eastwood | 7/10 | B+ | $420,000 |
| East Nashville | 7/10 | B+ | $415,000 |
| Cleveland Park | 7/10 | B+ | $410,000 |
| Fairview | 7/10 | B+ | $310,000 |
| Gallatin | 8/10 | B+ | $305,000 |
| White House | 7/10 | B+ | $300,000 |
| Old Hickory | 7/10 | B+ | $285,000 |
| Nashville West | 7/10 | B+ | $280,000 |
| Pie Town | 7/10 | B | $650,000 |
| Rutledge Hill | 7/10 | B | $585,000 |
| Lockeland Springs | 7/10 | B | $565,000 |
| Germantown | 7/10 | B | $500,000 |
| The Gulch | 7/10 | B | $490,000 |
| North Gulch | 7/10 | B | $475,000 |
| Shelby Hills | 7/10 | B | $465,000 |
| Wedgewood-Houston | 7/10 | B | $455,000 |
| Melrose | 7/10 | B | $445,000 |
| Berry Hill | 7/10 | B | $435,000 |
| Riverside Village | 7/10 | B | $430,000 |
| The Nations | 7/10 | B | $400,000 |
| Porter Heights | 7/10 | B | $395,000 |
| Joelton | 7/10 | B | $390,000 |
| Charlotte Park | 7/10 | B | $360,000 |
| Ransom Place | 7/10 | B | $355,000 |
| Hermitage | 7/10 | B | $350,000 |
| Boscobel | 7/10 | B | $345,000 |
| Pennington Bend | 7/10 | B | $325,000 |
| Two Rivers | 7/10 | B | $320,000 |
| Nations West | 7/10 | B | $315,000 |
| Donelson | 7/10 | B | $295,000 |
| Donelson Hills | 7/10 | B | $275,000 |
| Clifton | 7/10 | B | $230,000 |
| Chestnut Hill | 7/10 | B | $225,000 |
| Grassmere | 7/10 | B | $215,000 |
| Glenrose Heights | 7/10 | B | $205,000 |
| Salemtown | 7/10 | B- | $515,000 |
| Marathon Village | 7/10 | B- | $485,000 |
| SoBro | 7/10 | B- | $425,000 |
| McFerrin Park | 7/10 | B- | $365,000 |
| Fisk-Meharry | 7/10 | B- | $340,000 |
| Hope Gardens | 7/10 | B- | $290,000 |
| East Lake | 7/10 | B- | $235,000 |
| McGavock | 7/10 | B- | $210,000 |
| Inglewood East | 7/10 | B- | $200,000 |
| Elm Hill | 7/10 | B- | $185,000 |
| Kingston Springs | 5/10 | B+ | $170,000 |
| Priest Lake | 7/10 | B | $175,000 |
| Inglewood | 6/10 | B+ | $390,000 |
| Caldwell-Abbitt | 6/10 | B- | $220,000 |
| Buena Vista Heights | 6/10 | C+ | $260,000 |
| Hadley Park | 6/10 | C+ | $255,000 |
| Maxwell Heights | 6/10 | C+ | $180,000 |
| Madison | 5/10 | C+ | $250,000 |
| Antioch | 5/10 | C+ | $245,000 |
| Smyrna | 7/10 | C+ | $195,000 |
| Whites Creek | 5/10 | C+ | $190,000 |
| Whites Creek Valley | 5/10 | C+ | $165,000 |
| Bordeaux | 5/10 | C | $270,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Nashville neighborhood has the best schools?
Belle Meade is the only Nashville neighborhood to earn a 10/10 school rating, with an A+ crime grade to match — but the median home price is $1.495M. Among neighborhoods accessible to most buyers, Brentwood and Franklin both earn 9/10 school ratings with median prices around $510,000–$525,000. For buyers under $400k, Hendersonville is the standout at 8/10 schools and an A- crime grade with a $385,000 median.
What is the safest neighborhood in Nashville?
Belle Meade earns the top crime grade (A+) in the Nashville metro, followed by Brentwood, Franklin, and Forest Hills at A. Among neighborhoods under $500k, Spring Hill and Hendersonville both earn A- crime grades. Donelson, Gallatin, Old Hickory, and White House all earn B or B+ crime grades at price points under $310,000.
Which Nashville neighborhood gives the best combination of schools and safety?
For most buyers, Brentwood (9/10 schools, A crime, $525k) and Franklin (9/10 schools, A crime, $510k) represent the top of the accessible market on both metrics. Hendersonville (8/10 schools, A- crime, $385k) is the best combined value under $400k. Belle Meade tops both metrics but at $1.495M is beyond most budgets.
What Nashville neighborhoods have good schools under $400,000?
Hendersonville (8/10 schools, A- crime, $385k median) is the best option. Bellevue (8/10, B+, $335k) and Lenox Village (8/10, B+, $330k) both hit the target under $340k. For 7/10 school ratings: Old Hickory ($285k, B+), Nashville West ($280k, B+), White House ($300k, B+), and Donelson ($295k, B) all come in under $310k.
Is a 7/10 school rating good in Nashville?
Yes — a 7/10 school rating in Nashville is above the metro average and well above the national average for public schools. Over 50 Nashville neighborhoods hit a 7/10 rating, which means you have significant options at different price points. The difference between a 7 and a 9 is real, but a 7 is not a bad school by any reasonable measure.
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