Trying to choose between Brentwood and Franklin for your next home can feel like comparing two great options with different strengths. You want clarity on price, commute, schools, and daily lifestyle so you can move forward with confidence. In this guide, you’ll get a practical, side-by-side look at what sets each city apart, plus a simple decision checklist and local tips to help you zero in on the right fit. Let’s dive in.

Quick snapshot: price, pace, size

• Median sale price (Jan 2026): Brentwood about $1,312,500; Franklin about $875,000. Typical home values track near $1.39M in Brentwood and $904K in Franklin as a second reference point. These medians reflect recent monthly snapshots and can shift with the mix of homes sold.
• Price per square foot: Both markets sit in the mid-$300s per square foot. Brentwood’s higher median price is largely driven by bigger homes and a higher share of luxury closings.
• Market tempo: Homes in Brentwood spent about 121 days on market in Jan 2026, compared with about 93 days in Franklin. Luxury listings often have longer timelines, which can push Brentwood’s median higher.
• Population context: Brentwood is smaller and more residential, while Franklin is larger and serves as the county seat. Both are part of fast-growing Williamson County. You can review local population trends in the Census QuickFacts for Brentwood for added context.

What this means for you: as you compare budgets, look at price per square foot alongside median price. It helps normalize for home size and gives a clearer read on value.

Housing styles and where they show up

Brentwood housing profile

You’ll see established subdivisions with mature trees, larger lots, and a strong luxury segment that includes gated and golf communities. Signature examples include the estate homes inside The Governors Club, along with upscale planned neighborhoods that emphasize amenities like pools and tennis courts. Interior finish level and lot size are major value drivers here. Monthly listing counts tend to be lower than Franklin, so selection can feel tighter at any given moment.

Franklin housing profile

Franklin offers a broader mix, from historic cottages and Victorian-era homes near Main Street to newer master-planned neighborhoods. Communities like Westhaven are often highlighted for a village-style layout with mixed housing types and on-site amenities, recognized for promoting walkability by industry sources such as Builder Online’s coverage of Westhaven. You’ll also find more new construction options and overall higher listing volume in corridors like Cool Springs and Berry Farms.

What you get at three budgets

Every street and subdivision is different, but these examples will help you frame expectations.

Move-up range

• Brentwood: Larger single-family homes on generous lots in established subdivisions, often with neighborhood pools or courts. You pay a premium for size, privacy, and finish level.
• Franklin: Single-family homes in master-planned neighborhoods with sidewalks and community amenities, or updated homes near downtown. More variety in square footage and lot size at this tier.

Luxury tier

• Brentwood: Custom builds and estates, including gated and golf properties such as those within The Governors Club. Expect expansive floor plans, elevated finish packages, and outdoor living spaces.
• Franklin: Luxury single-family homes within master-planned settings like Westhaven’s upper tiers, or estate properties in and around the city. Historic homes with premium updates near Main Street can also command top pricing.

Downsizer focus

• Brentwood: Fewer attached-home options, so many downsizers choose thoughtfully updated, smaller single-family homes in established neighborhoods for a low-maintenance feel without leaving Brentwood.
• Franklin: More attached and right-size options within master-planned communities, plus historic cottages and newer homes on compact lots closer to shops and dining. Communities recognized for walkability, such as those noted by Builder Online, can be appealing if you want amenities close at hand.

Schools and zoning, made simple

Both cities are primarily served by Williamson County Schools, a district consistently recognized for strong academic indicators. If schools matter to your move, the most important step is address-level verification. School zones can shift, and assignments depend on the property’s exact location. Use the district’s site to confirm current information through the WCS district report pages and school-zone lookup.

What to do next:

• Verify the zone for any address you are considering.
• If you are comparing neighborhoods, list your top two schools and cross-check multiple addresses before touring.
• Ask your agent to monitor zone updates if you plan to buy new construction with a longer timeline.

Commute and transportation

Distances and drive times

• Brentwood to Downtown Nashville: roughly 11 miles. Typical drive times run about 20 to 30 minutes off-peak. You can review a sample estimate using Travelmath’s Brentwood to Nashville drive time.
• Franklin to Downtown Nashville: roughly 20 to 25 miles. Typical drive times range about 25 to 40 minutes or more during peak hours.
• Brentwood to Franklin: about 9 miles, often 10 to 20 minutes depending on traffic.

Public transit is limited for daily commuting in this corridor. Most residents drive. You can check current service areas and updates through WeGo’s region page on Transit App. If the commute matters to you, test the drive during your normal rush-hour window and compare multiple routes.

Daily lifestyle and amenities

Brentwood day to day

Brentwood reads as a polished, residential suburb with tree-lined streets and a quieter, low-density feel. You will find major green spaces like Crockett Park and Marcella Vivrette Smith Park, plus quick access to retail and services in Cool Springs and the Maryland Farms office area. Many planned neighborhoods offer community amenities, which help anchor social and recreational life close to home.

Franklin day to day

Franklin blends a preserved, walkable Main Street with significant growth in Cool Springs and new mixed-use districts. Cool Springs is a major retail and employment hub with regional shopping and dining, highlighted in resources like FranklinIs’ guide to Cool Springs. You can also enjoy parks, historic sites, and village-style neighborhoods that bring amenities closer to your front door.

Taxes and ongoing costs

Property taxes in Williamson County include both county and city rates. Total taxes depend on the property’s assessed value, location, and the rates set each year. For parcel-level estimates and current rates, review the county’s published information on Williamson County property tax rates or consult directly with the county trustee.

Which city fits your priorities

Choose Brentwood if you prioritize larger lots, a strong luxury segment, and slightly shorter proximity to Nashville. The market skews to bigger homes with premium finishes and planned-community amenities. Expect lower listing counts at any given time and a price profile that reflects the city’s higher-end inventory.

Choose Franklin if you want a wider range of home types, relative value per square foot for size and finish, and access to a walkable downtown scene. You will see more new construction, more attached options, and village-style communities with on-site amenities and services.

A quick decision checklist

Use this to narrow your search in a weekend:

• Commute: Test-drive your route at rush hour both ways.
• Home layout: List your top three must-haves, then compare price per square foot for homes that fit.
• Lot and privacy: Decide your minimum lot size or yard use, then rank neighborhoods by outdoor space.
• Amenities: Note which matters more to you, neighborhood amenities or walkable retail access.
• Schools: Verify zoning for any address through the WCS district pages.
• Timeline: If you are eyeing a luxury or specialty property, plan for a longer search window.

How we help you decide

As a Franklin-based boutique team, The Sarah Nicodemus Group pairs deep neighborhood insight with thoughtful, high-touch service. For sellers, we bring cinematic marketing, professional staging, and polished storytelling that present your home at its best. We also leverage Compass programs like Concierge for renovation coordination and Private Exclusives for discreet, pre-market options when privacy or timing matters.

For buyers, we translate market data into clear choices, compare value by price per square foot, and preview neighborhoods that match your lifestyle. Whether you lean Brentwood or Franklin, we will help you shortlist the right streets, verify school zoning, and navigate the offer strategy with confidence.

Ready to explore the right fit for your next chapter in Williamson County? Connect with Sarah Nicodemus to start a tailored plan.

FAQs

How do Brentwood and Franklin home prices compare in 2026?

• Brentwood’s median sale price sits around $1.31M, while Franklin’s is about $875K as of Jan 2026. Price per square foot is similar in the mid-$300s, but Brentwood’s larger homes push the median higher.

Which city offers more housing variety for different budgets?

• Franklin typically has more listing volume and a wider mix, from townhomes and cottages to luxury homes and new construction. Brentwood leans toward larger single-family and luxury properties.

How do commutes to Downtown Nashville differ?

• Brentwood is roughly 11 miles from Downtown Nashville with typical off-peak drives around 20 to 30 minutes. Franklin is farther, about 20 to 25 miles, with drives often 25 to 40 minutes or more at peak.

What should I know about schools in Brentwood and Franklin?

• Both are served primarily by Williamson County Schools. Always confirm the exact school assignment for any address using the WCS district report pages, since zones can change.

Are there good options for downsizing in each city?

• Franklin generally offers more attached and right-size options within master-planned communities and near downtown. Brentwood has fewer attached choices, so many downsizers opt for updated, smaller single-family homes in established neighborhoods.

Where can I confirm local property tax rates for planning?

• Review current county and city components on the Williamson County property tax rates page, and check parcel-level estimates with the county trustee.