The 10 Most Expensive Mountain Towns in Tennessee to Buy a Second Home

Tennessee’s scenery is unrivaled, and the benefits of living in the Volunteer State go beyond the affordable cost of living and low property taxes. Housing costs are moderate, and the winters are mild. Also, Tennessee boasts some of the most gorgeous mountain towns in the United States.

By purchasing a less expensive home in an upscale market, with a bit of time and effort, a homeowner could exponentially increase that home’s value. So, where in Tennessee are the most expensive mountain towns? Discover Tennessee’s ten most expensive mountain towns to buy a second home.

1. Pittman Center

The average selling price of a home in Pittman Center is $1.4 million, which has increased by 68.1% from 2022. In Sevier County, Pittman Center is in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), just minutes from Gatlinburg. Pittman Center is a quaint and historic community with much to offer potential homeowners. Its residents are protective of Pittman Center’s heritage, striving to preserve the mountain culture that it embraces. The environment provides many outdoor possibilities, such as fishing for trout, hiking the Chimney Tops, swimming in the creek, golfing at Bent Creek Golf Course, and bird watching for osprey. For a meal just a few minutes away, choose fried catfish or grilled pork at Trish’s Mountain Diner.

2. Walland

The average selling price of a home in Walland is $845,500, which has increased by 15.1% from 2022. An unincorporated community in Blount County, Tennessee, Walland lies at the intersection of Maryville and Townsend. At the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Walland is established in the area called “The Peaceful Side of the Smokies.”

Walland is a rural community that rates well in cost of living and outdoor activities. Walland is best known for the world-renowned Blackberry Farm, ranked third in all-inclusive resorts in the United States. An upscale sweeping 4,200-acre property, Blackberry Farm has evolved into a destination known for its breathtaking scenery and award-winning cuisine.

3. Gatlinburg

The average selling price of a home in Gatlinburg is $777,500, which has increased by 3% from 2022. Bordering Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Sevier County side, Gatlinburg has been a prominent and growing tourist destination with its myriad attractions, restaurants, and growing mountain home communities.

Gatlinburg offers a unique dichotomy of possessing an urban aesthetic against a national park frontier. Most residents own their homes here, and the town ranks high in nightlife and diversity. Gatlinburg landmarks include the instantly recognizable Space Needle, the fairly new Anakeesta, and the snow-skiing destination Ober Gatlinburg.

The options for dining are seemingly endless, but time-tested eateries include The Peddler, an upscale creekside steak house, and Best Italian, a top-shelf pizzeria tucked unassumingly into a strip mall close to the park entrance.

4. Pigeon Forge

The average selling price of a home in Pigeon Forge is $725,000, which has increased by 3.7% from 2022. Known for its expanse of tourist attractions and gateway to the Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge lies in Sevier County. Pigeon Forge is highly ranked in cost of living, diversity, jobs, and nightlife.

Buying a home in Pigeon Forge gives a best-of-both-worlds environment of kitschy tourists and unspoiled nature. Dollywood is in Pigeon Forge, and such popular attractions and regular convention events make Pigeon Forge traffic extremely congested. A key for any primary or second-home resident is ascertaining alternate pathways and back roads to reach your destination.

5. Sevierville

The average selling price of a home in Sevierville is $699,900, which has remained static from 2022. To clarify the progression of these mountain towns from interstate to national park, from Knoxville, Tennessee, first off of I-40 in Sevierville at the 407, then Pigeon Forge, then Gatlinburg, then the national park. Sevierville is the oldest and largest town in Sevier County, and its accessibility to major interstates makes it a perfect town for a second home in the mountains.

6. Townsend

The average selling price of a home in Townsend is $617,500, trending up 2.9% from 2022. Townsend borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the south side of Blount County. It is highly rated in cost of living, health and fitness, and outdoor activities.

Townsend (like Walland) claims the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies” nickname, though the peaceful side has grown and evolved in recent years. Schools in Townsend (and Blount County on the whole) are excellent and highly rated in outdoor activities and health and fitness. Buying a mountain home in Townsend is a fantastic investment because of its proximity to the National Park and Cades Cove. Townsend offers plenty of gently rolling bike trails, tubing opportunities, and great eating establishments. I highly recommend the Appalachian Bistro on the grounds of the Dancing Bear Lodge. The cuisine is authentic farm-to-table fare, with all dishes grown on-site or locally sourced.

7. Cosby

The average selling price of a home in Cosby is $479,900, which has increased by 21.5% from 2022. Cosby is on the Smokies’ southern boundary in Cocke County, Tennessee. Known as the “Moonshine Capital of the World,” Cosby is much less crowded than other mountain towns near the GSMNP. The cost of living and crime rate in Cosby are low, and its economic growth is steady.

8. Jonesborough

The average selling price of a home in Jonesborough is $459,900, which has increased by 9.5% from 2022. In Washington County, Jonesborough is close to Johnson City, part of the extreme East Tennessee “tri-cities region, ” including Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol.

Jonesborough, the oldest town in the state, retains its old-school charm with its downtown area. The Jonesborough Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jonesborough is highly rated for jobs, cost of living, public schools, and outdoor activities. Buying a second mountain home in Jonesborough is ideal for those who desire a laidback atmosphere rather than huge crowds.

9. Maryville

The average selling price of a home in Maryville is $439,900, which has increased by 3.5% from 2022. It is also near the Great Smoky Mountains but is more accessible to the interstate and bigger-city amenities in Knoxville.

Maryville is a highly-rated area to live or buy a second home, with a low cost of living, a safe environment, and excellent schools. Maryville’s schools have been given an “exemplary” rating, with six of its seven recognized as “prize schools.” Families who live out of Maryville’s zone and want the benefit of this school system can pay tuition for their children to attend Maryville’s public schools.

10. Mountain City

The average home selling price in Mountain City is $396,000, which has increased by 32.4% from 2022. It is highly rated in cost of living and weather. It is accessible to interstates, major highways, and an airport.