Practicing in Nashville
Nashville is one of the largest concentrations of healthcare companies in the United States, so a move here plugs you into a deep network of systems, employers, and colleagues. Whether you have signed an offer or are still comparing options, this guide is built to help you weigh the move with no pressure and no guesswork.
Health systems you may be working alongside
- HCA Healthcare and TriStar Health. HCA, one of the largest hospital operators in the country, is headquartered here and anchors the TriStar network of community hospitals across Middle Tennessee.
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). The region's major academic medical center and Level I trauma provider, with extensive residency and fellowship programs.
- Ascension Saint Thomas. Operates several area hospitals, including its Midtown and West campuses.
- Nashville General and Meharry Medical College. The city's safety-net hospital partners with Meharry, one of the nation's historically Black academic health science centers.
- Training pipeline. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Meharry, and Belmont's Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine all feed the regional physician workforce.
What is being built right now
- VUMC opened its 15-story Jim Ayers Tower in late 2025, the system's largest inpatient expansion to date.
- TriStar Health is expanding and upgrading several facilities, including projects at TriStar Centennial and a tower expansion at TriStar Skyline.
- Oracle is advancing a large East Bank riverfront campus described as a future global headquarters, with a planned pedestrian bridge to Germantown.
- Nashville International Airport (BNA) opened its Concourse D extension in 2025 as part of a multiyear expansion.
- Voters approved a metro transportation program funding transit, sidewalk, and traffic-signal upgrades citywide.
Where physicians are landing
Physicians relocating to Nashville commonly weigh a mix of in-city neighborhoods and nearby suburban towns. A few that come up often:
- Green Hills. Established area just south of downtown with shopping, dining, and a central location near Vanderbilt.
- Belle Meade. Residential area west of the city center with larger lots, tree-lined streets, and historic homes.
- Brentwood. Williamson County city with newer subdivisions, corporate campuses, and several public schools with high ratings.
- Franklin. Williamson County town with a preserved historic Main Street district, parks, and a growing employer base.
- East Nashville. Walkable area east of the Cumberland River with independent restaurants, music venues, and renovated historic housing.
- Germantown. Compact, walkable district just north of downtown with historic architecture and riverfront proximity.
- Nolensville. Smaller town southeast of the city with newer residential developments, greenway trails, and a historic village center.
Commute to the medical district
Drive times vary with the corridor and time of day. From Green Hills or Belle Meade, VUMC and the Midtown hospitals are typically a 10 to 20 minute drive. East Nashville and Germantown usually sit within 10 to 15 minutes of Midtown. From Brentwood, Franklin, or Nolensville, plan on 25 to 45 minutes via I-65 or local routes. The main arteries are I-65 (north and south), I-24 (toward the southeast), and I-440, which connects them across the southern side of the city.
Cost of living and taxes
- Housing. Costs sit above the national median but below the most expensive coastal metros. Recent data put the typical home value in the city around $440,000 to $490,000, with higher ranges common in Belle Meade, Brentwood, and Franklin. Average rents have been reported near $1,800 to $1,900 per month.
- No state income tax. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages, and the former Hall tax on interest and dividend income has been fully repealed.
- Sales and property tax. The combined state and local sales tax rate in Nashville is 9.75 percent. Property tax effective rates are relatively low and vary by county.
Rent or buy
If you are new to the area, renting for several months can give you time to learn the neighborhoods, confirm your commute, and understand local pricing before you buy. Buying may make sense once your role is settled and you know where you want to be long term. We can connect you with local lenders familiar with physician loan programs and help you compare both paths against your start date. For your specific tax situation, confirm current figures with a tax professional.
Your move, handled
Changing jobs as a physician is tied to your contract, your start date, licensing, and credentialing. Here is what your Physician Relocation Advisor coordinates on a Nashville move:
- Tennessee licensure. Guidance on the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners application and timeline, plus your DEA registration for the new address.
- Credentialing. Support through hospital and payer credentialing, which commonly runs 90 to 180 days, so it lines up with your start date.
- Housing around your hospital. Homes matched to your commute and schedule, with vetted local agents and physician-friendly lenders.
- Family and schools. Research on neighborhoods and school options so your family has what it needs.
- One point of contact. We stay with you from offer to move-in, no pressure and no guesswork.
We're here to take care of you.
