10 Reasons Why Buying Land in Tennessee Makes Sense in 2026

Tennessee’s mix of mountains, rolling pasture, working farmland, and fast-growing metro areas keeps drawing land buyers who want lifestyle and long-term value. The state also offers real momentum in land pricing: Tennessee farm real estate reached $5,710 per acre in 2024—a 10.7% increase from 2023 and the highest growth rate in the nation, according to the USDA 2024 Land Values Summary. That trend continued with a 7.7% increase in farm real estate values in 2025, the second-highest in the U.S., according to the USDA Land Values 2025 Summary Report.

On the ground, Tennessee offers meaningful acreage for agriculture and recreation. The state has over 10.8 million acres of farmland with an average farm size of 155 acres, according to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) also estimates Tennessee has approximately 4.8 million acres of cropland, underscoring the state’s productive capacity. Add in the fact that nearly 14% of Tennessee’s land is publicly owned and managed for conservation and recreation, as noted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and you get a compelling mix of access, stewardship, and opportunity.

Reasons We Love Buying Land in Tennessee

1. Majestic Mountains and Pristine Wilderness

East Tennessee delivers the kind of scenery that makes land ownership feel like a daily getaway. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park anchors the region with renowned biodiversity and hundreds of miles of trails, plus nearby gateway towns like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for dining, events, and family attractions. Beyond the Smokies, state parks across East Tennessee add even more options for boating, fishing, and camping. If your dream is a cabin site, a homestead, or a private retreat, mountain and foothill acreage can give you privacy without cutting you off from amenities.

2. Musical Cities with Real Personality

Tennessee’s culture doesn’t live only in museums—it shows up in live venues, neighborhoods, and local businesses. Memphis helped shape blues and rock ’n’ roll history, while Nashville continues to influence modern country music and songwriting. Smaller cities and river towns bring their own flavor, too, with murals, festivals, and locally owned restaurants that make weekend exploring feel endless. For many land buyers, being within a reasonable drive of a major music city adds both lifestyle upside and future resale appeal.

3. Four Distinct Seasons That Keep You Outside

Tennessee’s seasons support year-round land use—spring planting, summer time on the water, fall projects, and quieter winters that are still manageable compared to many northern states. The result: more days to hike, hunt, fish, build, and enjoy your property. Whether you want a place for weekend recreation or a full-time rural lifestyle, Tennessee’s climate makes land feel usable—not just scenic.

4. Deep History and a Wide-Ranging Cultural Story

Tennessee’s identity comes from layered history: pivotal Civil War sites, presidential landmarks, and locations central to the Civil Rights movement. You can also find significant Indigenous history across the region. This cultural depth matters to buyers who want more than acreage—they want a sense of place, rooted traditions, and communities that preserve local character while continuing to evolve.

5. Small-Town Community (With Real Space to Breathe)

Outside the biggest metros, many Tennessee towns still deliver the pace people want when they buy land: room for gardens and workshops, local events, farmer’s markets, and neighbors who recognize each other. That community feel can be a major quality-of-life upgrade, especially for buyers leaving high-density areas. Land just outside a small town often hits the sweet spot—privacy at home, convenience a short drive away.

6. A Market With Strong Price Signals (Farm, Cropland, and Pasture)

Tennessee land has shown notable value growth across multiple categories—something buyers pay attention to when they want lifestyle benefits and investment potential.

• Farm real estate: Tennessee farm real estate reached $5,710 per acre in 2024, up 10.7% from 2023 and leading the nation in growth, according to the USDA 2024 Land Values Summary.
• Cropland: Tennessee cropland values reached $5,610 per acre in 2024, a 10.9% increase from 2023 and the highest growth rate nationally, according to the USDA 2024 Land Values Summary.
• Pastureland: Tennessee pastureland averaged $5,360 per acre in 2024, according to the USDA 2024 Land Values Summary.

Recent reporting also shows Tennessee continuing to climb in 2025:

• Tennessee recorded a 7.7% increase in farm real estate values in 2025, the second-highest in the U.S., according to the USDA Land Values 2025 Summary Report.
• Tennessee recorded a 7.8% increase in cropland values in 2025, also the second-highest in the U.S., according to the USDA Land Values 2025 Summary Report.

For context, the U.S. average farm real estate value reached $4,350 per acre in 2025, with Tennessee listed among the top growth states, according to the USDA Land Values 2025 Summary Report. That comparison helps explain why buyers keep looking closely at Tennessee when they want land with measurable momentum.

7. Timber, Wildlife, and Recreation Value You Can Actually Measure

Tennessee isn’t only about farms and cities—forested tracts, hunting land, and recreational parcels remain a major draw. In many rural areas, forested and recreational land typically ranges from $4,500 to $10,000 per acre in 2024, according to Mossy Oak Properties (citing recent data). That range can create options for buyers who want privacy, trails, food plots, creek frontage, or simply a quiet place to build.

Timber can also add immediate, quantifiable value. Mature hardwood timber stands in Tennessee can add $3,000–$5,000 per acre in immediate harvest value in 2024, according to Mossy Oak Properties (citing recent data). For land buyers, that can matter when evaluating total property value, improvement plans, and long-term stewardship.

8. Food, Craft, and “Made Here” Pride

Tennessee’s food culture runs deep—from regional barbecue traditions to iconic small-town diners and modern farm-to-table spots. Distilleries, local farms, and artisan makers also bring a practical benefit to landowners: a supportive ecosystem for selling crafts, farm goods, and small-batch products. If you want acreage for a workshop, a market garden, or a passion project that could become a side business, Tennessee’s maker culture gives you a place to plug in.

9. Location That Makes Road Trips (and Logistics) Easy

Tennessee’s central position in the Southeast makes it a strategic “home base.” Major interstates connect you to surrounding states, and airports near Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga make longer travel easier. For buyers who split time between properties—or want land that stays accessible for family and friends—this convenience turns into real day-to-day value.

10. Big-City Energy When You Want It (Including High-Dollar Urban Land)

Tennessee’s growth story shows up most clearly around its major metros. Land near expanding employment centers and infrastructure often commands a premium—and Nashville is a prime example. Residential land in Davidson County (the Nashville area) ranges from $175,000 to $300,000 per acre in 2024, according to Mossy Oak Properties (citing recent data). That spread highlights a key Tennessee advantage: you can choose between high-access urban parcels, suburban acreage, or rural tracts—often within a few hours of each other.

Tennessee also continues to attract major employers and strong tourism traffic, which helps support demand for housing and development in and around key corridors. For land buyers, that can translate into multiple exit strategies—build now, hold long-term, or improve and resell as nearby areas grow.

Final Thoughts

Tennessee makes land ownership feel both inspiring and practical. You can buy for views, recreation, farming, timber, privacy, or proximity to fast-growing cities—and the data supports the state’s rising profile. With over 10.8 million acres of farmland and an average farm size of 155 acres reported by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, plus approximately 4.8 million acres of cropland cited by the NRCS, the state still offers real room to build a vision. And with land values rising—such as $5,710 per acre for farm real estate in 2024 per the USDA 2024 Land Values Summary and continued growth reported in 2025 by the USDA Land Values 2025 Summary Report—Tennessee remains a standout for buyers who want both lifestyle and long-term potential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the main benefits of buying land in Tennessee?

Buyers choose Tennessee for its varied landscapes, four-season outdoor recreation, strong cultural identity, and a land market that has shown notable value growth across farm real estate, cropland, and pasture categories.

What parts of Tennessee are most popular for buying land?

East Tennessee attracts buyers seeking mountain views and recreational land. Middle Tennessee remains popular for access to Nashville and surrounding growth corridors. West Tennessee offers fertile agricultural areas and proximity to Memphis. Many buyers also target land just outside metro areas for a balance of privacy and convenience.

What types of land are available to purchase in Tennessee?

Tennessee offers wooded recreational tracts, cropland, pasture, timber properties, riverfront parcels, hunting land, suburban acreage, and residential infill lots near major cities.

What is the average price per acre for Tennessee land?

Pricing varies widely by land type and location. As reference points, Tennessee farm real estate reached $5,710 per acre in 2024 (up 10.7% from 2023) and cropland reached $5,610 per acre in 2024 (up 10.9%), according to the USDA 2024 Land Values Summary. Rural forested and recreational land typically ranges from $4,500 to $10,000 per acre in 2024, per Mossy Oak Properties (citing recent data), while residential land in Davidson County (Nashville area) ranges from $175,000 to $300,000 per acre in 2024, per Mossy Oak Properties (citing recent data).

Are there any incentives for owning agricultural land in Tennessee?

Tennessee is known for favorable tax dynamics compared to many states, and agricultural classifications can reduce property tax burdens for qualifying working land. If you plan to farm, run livestock, or manage timber, confirm eligibility requirements and local rules with your county assessor and a qualified tax professional.