How did the horizon change the result?
The same August 2026 endpoint produces different directional counts because each baseline asks a different question. Seven years captures a longer price era; four years begins near the 2022 peak for many cities; one year describes only the latest interval.
| City | Aug. 2026 ZHVI | vs. Aug. 2019 | vs. Aug. 2022 | vs. Aug. 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | $429,741 | +45.2% | -5.9% | -2.7% |
| Murfreesboro | $426,156 | +52.3% | -1.7% | -0.4% |
| Franklin | $925,870 | +74.3% | +3.1% | +2.6% |
| Hendersonville | $518,234 | +52.2% | -2.4% | +0.7% |
| Lebanon | $447,311 | +57.4% | +1.3% | +1.3% |
| Columbia | $371,690 | +70.6% | +1.4% | +1.1% |
| Mount Juliet | $563,602 | +57.9% | +1.7% | +0.5% |
| Smyrna | $401,595 | +47.0% | -2.5% | -0.8% |
| Gallatin | $434,846 | +50.3% | -3.3% | +0.6% |
| Spring Hill | $520,958 | +57.8% | -4.8% | +0.2% |
| Brentwood | $1,404,388 | +81.1% | +4.1% | +3.2% |
| La Vergne | $345,288 | +43.3% | -6.6% | -1.7% |
| Nolensville | $843,614 | +68.1% | +2.0% | +3.3% |
What were the directional counts?
13 of 13 cities were above August 2019. 6 were above August 2022, and 9 were above August 2025. These unweighted counts describe only the selected cities and should not be presented as a metro-wide share of homes or residents.
Why is a baseline not neutral?
A comparison period can include or exclude a rapid rise, a correction or a flat interval. Select it before seeing the answer and explain why it matches the decision. Showing more than one horizon makes that choice inspectable.
How should city comparisons be used?
The table can help a relocating household ask which city-specific conditions deserve current research. It cannot rank quality of life, affordability or future return. Different cities contain different property stocks and have different taxes, services, commute patterns and available homes.
Coverage and limits
ZHVI is modeled and can be revised. It is not a median sale price, appraisal or forecast. The 13 cities reflect site coverage rather than every municipality in the metropolitan area, and the counts are not weighted by population, transactions or housing stock.
Cite this research
Ashton, Gary. “Nashville-area home-value direction changes with the comparison horizon.” Nashville Homes, September 29, 2026.
Sources & further reading
- Zillow Housing Data and metric definitions checked 2026-09-29
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