Tennessee Senior Living Options & Resources

Senior Living in Tennessee: What You Need to Know

Tennessee is home to 1,172,740 residents aged 65 and older, representing 16.8% of the state's total population of nearly 7 million. As the senior population continues to grow, Tennessee has developed a robust network of 119 senior living communities across 29 cities, offering assisted living, memory care, independent living, and skilled nursing options. The state's largest metro areas — Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, and Chattanooga — provide the highest concentration of senior care facilities, with Knoxville and Nashville each hosting 12 communities.

Tennessee offers significant cost advantages compared to national averages, making it an attractive option for retirees and their families. Assisted living in Tennessee averages $5,015 per month, considerably below the national average of $5,900, while nursing home care costs approximately $7,885 monthly for a semi-private room versus the national average of $9,277. This affordability, combined with the state's median household income of $67,097, makes quality senior care accessible to more Tennessee families.

The state's healthcare infrastructure is anchored by world-renowned institutions including Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, and Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis. Tennessee's moderate climate features four distinct seasons without extreme cold, appealing to seniors who want seasonal variety without harsh winters. The state's rich musical heritage, outdoor recreation opportunities in the Great Smoky Mountains, and no state income tax on retirement income further enhance its appeal.

Tennessee's senior care landscape is supported by TennCare, the state's Medicaid program, which offers home and community-based services waivers to help eligible seniors remain in their communities. Communities are distributed throughout Middle Tennessee (Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood), East Tennessee (Knoxville, Chattanooga), and West Tennessee (Memphis, Jackson), providing families with options across diverse urban, suburban, and smaller city environments. With strong growth in cities like Franklin and Brentwood, Tennessee continues to expand its senior living infrastructure to meet increasing demand.