Apartments for rent in Franklin, Tennessee

On the move

Public transport

Getting around town without a car is manageable thanks to Franklin Transit, which runs fixed-route buses and a curb-to-curb Transit On Demand service six days a week across the city. The system is operated and managed by The TMA Group, a Middle Tennessee transportation nonprofit that also coordinates vanpools and commuter programs for area employers. For trips into the wider region, WeGo Public Transit connects the metro with buses and commuter rail. Check current routes, fares, and schedules before you ride.

Airports

The nearest major airport is Nashville International Airport (BNA), roughly a 25-to-30-minute drive north, about 20 to 25 miles up Interstate 65 outside of peak traffic. BNA is a fast-growing hub with nonstop service across the country and abroad, so flying out for work or a weekend trip is simple. Rideshare, taxis, and off-airport parking make the trip from Franklin straightforward. Because the drive is short, residents skip the long slog that comes with larger metros.

Cars and driving

For most residents, driving is the easiest way to get around Franklin and the surrounding county. Interstate 65 runs along the eastern edge of the city, carrying commuters north toward Brentwood and Nashville and south toward Spring Hill and Columbia, with several exits serving Cool Springs and Berry Farms. Around town, the Mack Hatcher Memorial Parkway loops the historic core to ease cross-town trips, while US-31 (Columbia Avenue and Franklin Road) and State Route 96 link downtown with the interstate. Rush-hour traffic on I-65 and near the Cool Springs office parks can be heavy, so many residents time their trips accordingly.

Pedestrians and bicycles

Franklin is easy to explore on foot and by bike, with a compact historic downtown and a growing network of trails. The city's greenways and trails follow the Harpeth River and connect several parks, giving runners and cyclists paved paths away from traffic. For a longer ride, the Natchez Trace Parkway, a National Park Service scenic route and designated bicycle corridor, begins just southwest of the city and stretches for hundreds of miles. Together they make it easy to get outside close to home.

Your next job awaits

Franklin punches well above its size as an employment center, anchoring the corporate cluster of Cool Springs along Interstate 65. Automotive, healthcare, consumer products, technology, media, and retail all keep major operations here, and several nationally known companies base their headquarters in the city. Whatever your field, this is a smart place to build a career close to home.

Automotive

Franklin is home to the North American headquarters of Nissan North America, whose Cool Springs campus houses engineering, design, finance, sales, and marketing teams for one of the world's largest automakers.

Healthcare services

The city anchors Middle Tennessee's healthcare industry as the home of Community Health Systems, a Fortune 500 hospital operator headquartered on Meridian Boulevard that supports thousands of corporate roles.

Pet care and consumer products

Global consumer-products giant Mars Petcare runs its North American headquarters in Franklin, where teams behind brands like Pedigree, Sheba, and Whiskas make, sell, and distribute pet food nationwide.

Health technology

The region's health-tech scene runs deep, led by HealthStream, a software company that builds workforce, credentialing, and training tools used by hospitals and health systems across the country.

Media and personal finance

Franklin is the home of Ramsey Solutions, a personal-finance media and education company on a sprawling campus off Interstate 65 that produces books, courses, and nationally syndicated shows.

Hospitals and medical care

Direct patient care is centered at Williamson Health, whose Williamson Medical Center on Carothers Parkway has served the county for more than 65 years with emergency, surgical, obstetric, and specialty services.

Retail and shopping

Retail is a major employer in Cool Springs, headlined by CoolSprings Galleria, a large enclosed shopping center off I-65 with department-store anchors and more than a hundred shops and eateries.

Education for every age

Students in the city are served by Williamson County Schools, one of the highest-achieving public districts in Tennessee, with Advanced Placement coursework and career and technical education pathways offered across its schools. Franklin's own Franklin High School, the district's oldest high school, serves the historic core and is known for its academics, athletics, and long-running fine-arts programs. For higher education close to home, the Columbia State Community College Williamson Campus on Liberty Pike offers affordable two-year degrees and transfer pathways, and the universities of nearby Nashville are a short drive up the interstate.

Out and about

There is always something to do in and around Franklin. Whether you want a stroll along a historic Main Street, a plate of Southern cooking with live music, a riverside park, or an afternoon of Civil War history, the city keeps it all close by. Here are a few favorites to get you started.

Our top picks

Historic downtown Franklin

Franklin's 16-block historic core is a nationally recognized Main Street district lined with restored 19th-century storefronts, independent shops, and restaurants. It hosts festivals and street fairs throughout the year and is the heart of the city's social life, an easy first stop for newcomers getting to know the area.

The Factory at Franklin

Set in a cluster of restored 1920s stove-factory buildings, The Factory at Franklin gathers shops, eateries, artisans, a coffee roaster, and a music venue under one roof. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it hosts markets, classes, and live events just south of the downtown square.

Gray's on Main

Housed in a lovingly restored building on Main Street that once held a historic pharmacy, Gray's on Main serves elevated Southern fare across three floors. A second-floor stage brings live music most weekends, making it a favorite for dinner and a show downtown.

McCreary's Irish Pub & Eatery

A downtown fixture since 2002, McCreary's is a casual, locally owned Irish pub on Main Street pouring pints and serving classic pub fare in a warm, community-minded setting. It is a reliable spot to catch a game, hear live music, or gather with friends after work.

Carnton

This 1826 plantation home became the largest field hospital during the 1864 Battle of Franklin and is now preserved by the Battle of Franklin Trust. Guided tours of the house, restored gardens, and the adjoining McGavock Confederate Cemetery tell one of the most moving stories of the Civil War.

The Park at Harlinsdale Farm

Once a renowned Tennessee Walking Horse breeding farm, this 200-acre city park off Franklin Road now offers open pastures, ponds, trails, and a dog park. Its historic barns anchor festivals and community events, and there is plenty of room to spread out on a sunny afternoon.

Pinkerton Park

On Murfreesboro Road along the Harpeth River, Pinkerton Park is one of the city's most-used parks, with a mile-long paved track, the Tinkerbell playground, picnic areas, and a pedestrian bridge across the river. A greenway connection makes it an easy gateway to a stroll or a bike ride near downtown.

Timberland Park

This 72-acre county park sits along the Natchez Trace Parkway southwest of the city, with hiking trails, an interpretive center, a butterfly garden, and a scenic overlook. It is a peaceful spot to hike, learn about the region's natural history, and take in views of the surrounding hills.