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Middle Tennessee city among top 10 cities for first-time homebuyers in new report. Here’s why
By Chasity Maynard at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 16, 2026
· 3 min read
What This Story Is AboutA new WalletHub study ranked Murfreesboro as the 10th-best city in the U.S. for first-time homebuyers. Why It MattersMurfreesboro’s high score comes after WalletHub compared 300 U.S. cities in terms of their affordability, real-estate market and quality of life. For Contex...
Key takeaway Why It MattersMurfreesboro’s high score comes after WalletHub compared 300 U.
Why this matters in The Nashville
Murfreesboro's ranking as the 10th-best city for first-time homebuyers is a notable achievement for Middle Tennessee, particularly given the region's growing popularity and rising housing costs. The city's high score in the WalletHub study suggests that it offers a unique combination of affordability, a strong real-estate market, and a high quality of life, making it an attractive option for those looking to purchase their first home. This is especially significant for the Nashville area, where housing prices have been increasing in recent years, making it challenging for first-time buyers to enter the market. The fact that Nashville and Memphis also ranked well in the study, albeit in the large city category, indicates that Tennessee's major cities are still viable options for first-time homebuyers, despite the state's overall ranking in a recent CNBC study. Murfreesboro's success may prompt other local cities to examine their own affordability and quality of life metrics to remain competitive in the housing market.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? What This Story Is AboutA new WalletHub study ranked Murfreesboro as the 10th-best city in the U.S. for first-time homebuyers. Why It MattersMurfreesboro’s high score comes after WalletHub compared 300 U.S. cities in terms of their affordability, real-estate market and quality of life. For Contex...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Chasity Maynard at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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