Tennessee continues to earn national attention as a place to live, work, invest and build a business.
In CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business 2026 rankings, Tennessee landed among the Top 10 states in the country for business, joining Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Minnesota, Michigan, Georgia, Florida and Indiana.
Now in its 20th year, CNBC’s annual study evaluates all 50 states across 138 metrics and 10 broad categories of competitiveness. The methodology is designed to reflect the factors companies consider when deciding where to locate, expand and invest, as well as the areas states are prioritizing to attract jobs and economic development.
For Tennessee, another Top 10 showing reinforces something we continue to see across Nashville and Middle Tennessee: growth here is about more than population.
Why Tennessee Continues to Attract Attention
Tennessee has become a destination for companies and professionals across a wide range of industries. Nashville and the surrounding region have seen continued investment across healthcare, technology, finance, manufacturing, entertainment and professional services.
That business activity has helped reshape Middle Tennessee.
New employers bring jobs. Jobs bring people. And as more people choose to build their careers and businesses here, demand follows for housing, restaurants, retail, entertainment and the amenities that make a community a desirable place to call home.
It is one reason Nashville’s growth story extends well beyond Downtown.
Nashville and Williamson County Continue to Benefit
Across Greater Nashville, buyers have more options than ever when deciding what they want their Tennessee lifestyle to look like.
Those looking for an in-town experience may gravitate toward established Nashville neighborhoods such as Green Hills, 12 South, Belmont-Hillsboro and East Nashville, where proximity to restaurants, entertainment and major employment centers remains a significant draw.
Others are looking south toward Franklin and communities throughout Williamson County, where access to Nashville can be paired with historic downtowns, newer development, dining, shopping, recreation and more space.
The result is a region made up of distinctly different communities, each offering its own version of the Middle Tennessee lifestyle.
What Business Growth Can Mean for Real Estate
National business rankings are not real estate forecasts, and they are only one piece of a much larger picture. But economic development matters when evaluating a market over the long term.
Corporate investment and job creation can influence where people relocate, where new housing is developed and which neighborhoods and communities experience increased demand. For homeowners and buyers, understanding those larger trends can provide valuable context when making a real estate decision.
And in a market as varied as Greater Nashville, the opportunity can look very different from one neighborhood to the next.
Looking Beyond the Rankings
Tennessee’s place among CNBC’s Top 10 States for Business in 2026 adds another data point to the broader story of growth happening across the state.
For Nashville and Middle Tennessee, that story continues to be shaped by the combination of economic opportunity and quality of life that has attracted companies, entrepreneurs and new residents from across the country.
If you are considering a move to Nashville, Franklin or elsewhere in Middle Tennessee, understanding where the region is growing is just as important as finding the right home.
The McSquared Group at Compass brings local knowledge, market insight and connections throughout Greater Nashville and Williamson County to help you find the right opportunity.
