MOVING TO TENNESSEE? WHY MEMPHIS & WEST TENNESSEE BELONG ON YOUR 2026 RELOCATION LIST
Thinking about moving to Tennessee?
Nashville may dominate many national relocation conversations, but West Tennessee is experiencing an economic transformation of its own.
Memphis remains a major logistics, medical, distribution and employment center while new investments in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and technology are adding another dimension to the regional economy.
For relocating buyers, that means Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett and communities extending east through Fayette County deserve a closer look.
TENNESSEE CONTINUES TO ATTRACT NEW RESIDENTS
Tennessee's statewide population reached an estimated 7.315 million people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
That represents approximately 5.8% growth from the April 2020 estimates base.
But statewide growth does NOT mean every Tennessee county is growing at the same rate.
Shelby County's estimated population was approximately 910,226 in 2025, about 2.1% below its April 2020 estimates base.
That's an important distinction for relocating buyers.
The Memphis region isn't simply experiencing uniform population growth. Housing demand, redevelopment and new investment can shift between Memphis itself and surrounding suburban and exurban communities.
MEMPHIS IS BECOMING AN AI INFRASTRUCTURE CENTER
One of the biggest economic stories in Memphis is the enormous investment surrounding artificial intelligence infrastructure.
xAI established major computing operations in Memphis and has continued expanding its presence in the region.
The company says its Memphis investment is creating hundreds of permanent jobs while working with local contractors, businesses and educational partners.
And the economic connection now crosses the state line.
In January 2026, xAI announced an additional investment exceeding $20 billion in Southaven, Mississippi, immediately south of Memphis.
For relocation purposes, that reinforces something locals already understand: the Memphis employment market doesn't stop at the Tennessee state line.
BLUEOVAL CITY IS RESHAPING THE EASTERN SIDE OF WEST TENNESSEE
Travel east from Memphis and another massive economic project enters the picture.
Ford and SK Innovation originally committed approximately $5.6 billion to BlueOval City at the Memphis Regional Megasite.
The original project announcement called for approximately 5,800 direct jobs and projected a much larger indirect economic impact across West Tennessee.
For relocating buyers and existing homeowners, large employment projects like this are worth watching because suppliers, contractors and related businesses can extend their impact beyond the boundaries of the primary development.
MEMPHIS COMPANIES ARE EXPANDING TOO
Not every important economic-development announcement involves a multinational corporation.
In March 2026, Memphis-based Morgan Steel announced an $11.7 million headquarters expansion in Shelby County.
The company expects the expansion to create 119 new jobs.
That announcement is another example of investment occurring within the existing Memphis business community alongside the region's headline-making megaprojects.
TENNESSEE HAS NO STATE INCOME TAX ON EARNED INCOME
Taxes are another factor people frequently research when considering Tennessee.
Tennessee does not impose a state individual income tax on earned income.
That can be an important financial consideration, particularly for buyers comparing Tennessee with another state.
However, income tax is only one piece of the equation.
Property taxes, insurance, transportation expenses, utilities and the price of the individual home should all be considered when comparing the actual cost of living in different locations.
WHY PEOPLE CONSIDER THE MEMPHIS AREA
One advantage of relocating to the Memphis region is the ability to compare very different housing environments within a relatively concentrated geographic area.
Depending on location and available inventory, buyers can search for:
• Historic architecture
• Downtown and Midtown living
• Established suburban neighborhoods
• Luxury properties
• Larger residential lots
• New construction
• Properties farther east toward Fayette County
• Homes close to major medical and employment centers
• Tennessee properties near the Mississippi state line
Instead of asking which community is universally "best," I help relocating buyers determine which properties and locations actually fit their individual move.
MEMPHIS
Memphis itself contains dramatically different real estate environments.
Historic neighborhoods such as Central Gardens and Cooper-Young offer architecture and established streetscapes that feel completely different from residential areas farther east.
Midtown, East Memphis and other parts of the city provide additional combinations of housing, restaurants, medical facilities, employment centers and cultural destinations.
GERMANTOWN
Germantown offers an established residential real estate market with mature neighborhoods, parks, greenways, shopping and convenient access to East Memphis.
Buyers can encounter traditional homes, renovated properties, luxury residences and other housing options depending on inventory.
COLLIERVILLE
Collierville combines established residential neighborhoods and newer development with its recognizable historic Town Square.
For buyers considering new construction, newer subdivisions or homes farther east within Shelby County, Collierville can add another set of options to the search.
BARTLETT
Bartlett offers a broad selection of established neighborhoods along with parks, trails, recreation and convenient connections to Memphis.
The housing stock represents several periods of development, allowing buyers to compare homes with different architecture, lot characteristics and renovation histories.
PIPERTON & FAYETTE COUNTY
Continue east and the real estate landscape begins changing again.
Piperton and surrounding Fayette County can introduce buyers to larger lots, acreage and newer development while maintaining access toward Collierville and the greater Memphis region.
For buyers whose priorities include land or additional space, expanding the search beyond Shelby County can uncover very different properties.
UPCOMING MEMPHIS-AREA EVENTS
If you're considering relocating to Memphis, fall is an excellent time to experience the region beyond the listings.
Upcoming 2026 events include:
• Collierville Fall Evening Concert — September 29
• Bartlett Festival, Car Show & BBQ Contest — October 2–3
• Memphis Jazz Festival — October 9–11
• Mempho Music Festival — October 9–11
• RiverArtsFest — October 17–18
• Collierville Fall Blast Concert — October 20
• Oktoberfest at Overton Square — October 24
• Indie Memphis Film Festival — November 5–8
• Collierville Fall Evening Concert — November 21
• Memphis Crafts & Drafts Holiday Market — November 7
Memphis also has concerts, professional sports, museum programming and seasonal events happening throughout the fall.
A relocation visit becomes much more useful when you spend some time experiencing the communities you're considering rather than only touring houses.
TENNESSEE OR MISSISSIPPI?
For buyers relocating to the Memphis metropolitan area, this may be the most important question NOT to answer too early.
The Tennessee-Mississippi state line divides governments and tax structures.
It doesn't divide everyday life nearly as neatly.
Someone may work in Memphis while owning a home in DeSoto County. Another buyer may initially search North Mississippi before discovering that Germantown, Collierville or another Tennessee community better matches the property they're looking for.
That's why I work on both sides.
As a REALTOR® licensed in Tennessee and Mississippi, I can help you compare actual properties across the state line instead of handing you off to another agent the moment your search crosses the border.
START YOUR MEMPHIS & WEST TENNESSEE HOME SEARCH
Relocating isn't simply about finding a house.
It's about understanding where your work, lifestyle, budget and property priorities intersect.
Whether you're considering Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Piperton or communities farther into West Tennessee, we can build your search around the things that actually matter to you.
If you're planning a relocation visit, reach out before you arrive.
We can narrow the possibilities, organize your property tours and compare Tennessee and North Mississippi while you're here.
Memphis TN Real Estate • Moving to Memphis • Moving to Tennessee • Memphis Homes for Sale • Germantown TN Homes • Collierville TN Homes • Bartlett TN Homes • West Tennessee Real Estate • Memphis Relocation • Tennessee Relocation Considering moving to Tennessee? Explore 2026 Memphis relocation trends, major company investments, upcoming events and communities across West Tennessee.