Michelle Willard

USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

Two of Tennessee’s most affordable cities are in Rutherford County, according to a release from Livability.com.

Stephanie Inman of Livability.com said the website looked at home cost, living costs, average annual income, attractions and quality of life, among other factors when compiling the list.

“All of which helped us determine the five best, low-cost Tennessee cities that you’d love to live in,” Inman said.

When everything was tallied, Murfreesboro and Smyrna topped the list that was published March 17.

Murfreesboro ended up at No. 1 because of its good schools and job opportunities, coupled with its low cost of living and high quality of life.

“You won’t have to sacrifice fun or entertainment with a move to the outskirts of Nashville,” Inman said, citing Murfreesboro’s restaurant scene, the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra and parks as reasons for the city’s high livability rating.

Smyrna ranked second because of its low cost of living and proximity to Nashville.

“This city has a small-town feel with a very low cost of living, as well as the third-lowest property taxes in the state,” Inman said.

Nashville isn’t the fattest

In a completely unrelated list released by WalletHub.com, the Nashville metropolitan statistical area, of which Murfreesboro is a part, was not the fattest city in the nation, or even the state.

Memphis topped the national list of tubby cities. Chattanooga came in sixth, Knoxville was 12th, and the Nashville MSA was 14th.

The Nashville area ranked 31st out of 100 cities in “fat prevalence,” 16th in weight-related health problems and 20th in “healthy environment”.

If you need a bright side, the Nashville MSA is the skinniest metropolitan area in a state that could use a few healthy habits.

Honolulu came in as the skinniest city in the nation. I guess it’s all the opportunities to visit the beach and the lack of hot chicken.

Reach Michelle Willard at 615-278-5164, on Twitter @MichWillard or Rutherford County Business News on Facebook at facebook.com/DNJBusiness.

Most affordable cities in Tennessee

1. Murfreesboro

2. Smyrna

3. Johnson City

4. Clarksville

5. Chattanooga

Source: Livability.com