Trying to decide which Shelby County suburb fits your budget and lifestyle best? You are not alone. With prices, commute times, and amenities that vary from one town to the next, it helps to see clear comparisons before you start touring homes. In this guide, you will get side-by-side takeaways for Collierville, Germantown, Bartlett, Lakeland, Arlington, Millington, and Cordova, plus practical tips to match your needs with the right area. Let’s dive in.
How to read these comparisons
Vendor numbers measure different things. Redfin’s figure is a median sale price, Realtor’s figure is a median listing price, and Zillow’s ZHVI is an index of typical home value. That is why one source may read higher than another at the same time. The snapshots below cite late 2025 through January 2026 so you can compare like with like.
For commute times, we reference the American Community Survey mean travel time to work. These 5‑year estimates give a steady comparison across places. You can confirm city-by-city details on each town’s Census QuickFacts page, which we link where noted.
Shelby County snapshot for buyers
Price ladder at a glance
- Top tier: Collierville and Germantown often sit at the higher end of the market.
- Upper mid: Lakeland and Arlington skew newer with wider price bands.
- Mid-range: Bartlett and Cordova typically offer more options in the low to mid 300s.
- Most affordable on average: Millington.
Commute and highway access
- East and northeast corridors tie to I‑40, I‑240, and the SR‑385 or I‑269 beltway. Expect peak-hour slowdowns near Poplar Avenue, Germantown Parkway, and the Wolfchase area.
- Mean commute times vary by town. Use the ACS figures below as a baseline and then test your own route during rush hour.
Everyday living
- Walkable cores: Collierville’s historic Town Square offers a classic small-town center with shops and events. You can preview that vibe through the Tennessee tourism feature on the Collierville Town Square.
- Big-box convenience: Bartlett and Cordova cluster around Germantown Parkway, Stage Road, and the Wolfchase retail area.
- Quieter, lower-density options: Lakeland and Arlington tend to feature larger lots and newer subdivisions with lighter commercial footprints inside city limits.
Suburb-by-suburb breakdown
Collierville
Collierville blends a walkable historic core with newer master-planned neighborhoods. Owner-occupied home values and single-family inventory skew higher compared with many suburbs. The ACS median owner-occupied value is about $458,300, and mean commute time sits near 25 to 26 minutes according to Census QuickFacts for Collierville.
- Housing and feel: Historic homes near the square alongside modern subdivisions like Schilling Farms and Porter Farms. Predominantly single-family with suburban lots.
- Price snapshot: Redfin median sale about $483,500 in Dec 2025. Realtor median listing about $565,000 in Oct 2025. Expect sale prices to trend below active listing prices in most markets.
- Commute and access: SR‑385 and I‑269 offer east and west connections. Peak hours can stretch drive times toward central Memphis.
- Everyday amenities: Collierville Town Square has dining and boutiques, supported by larger retail at Carriage Crossing. Baptist Memorial Hospital Collierville is nearby.
- Best fit if you want: A small-town downtown plus upscale, single-family living and are comfortable with a higher budget.
Germantown
Germantown is a mature suburb with established single-family neighborhoods, greenways, and intentional commercial nodes. The ACS median owner-occupied value is around $470,800 with a mean commute time near 22 minutes per Germantown QuickFacts.
- Housing and feel: Predominantly single-family with mid to higher-end subdivisions and limited infill.
- Price snapshot: Realtor median listing near $529,500 in Oct 2025. Redfin median sale near $455,000 in Jan 2026. Vendor differences reflect asking prices versus closed sales.
- Commute and access: Poplar Avenue, Germantown Parkway, and I‑240 provide regional access. Traffic choke points occur near Poplar and I‑240.
- Everyday amenities: Parks and civic amenities are strong. The city is near major care at Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital.
- Best fit if you want: An established, amenity-rich suburb with single-family homes and a higher average price point.
Bartlett
Bartlett offers a large stock of mid-century homes and newer subdivisions with strong access to daily retail. The ACS median owner-occupied value is about $310,400. Mean commute time is roughly 24 to 25 minutes, per Bartlett QuickFacts.
- Housing and feel: A mix of older ranch-style homes and newer neighborhoods on modest lots.
- Price snapshot: Redfin median sale around $322,000 in Dec 2025. Realtor median listing in the mid 300s in Oct 2025.
- Commute and access: Stage Road, Germantown Parkway, and I‑40 give convenient access. Expect added congestion around Wolfchase during peak shopping times.
- Everyday amenities: Close to big-box retail, grocery options, and regional medical services a short drive away. Parks and community programming are a local plus.
- Best fit if you want: Mid-range pricing, fast access to shopping, and a wide selection of single-family homes.
Lakeland
Lakeland reads quieter and lower density with larger lots and newer construction. The ACS median owner-occupied value is about $388,900 and mean commute time is around 25 to 26 minutes per Lakeland QuickFacts.
- Housing and feel: Newer subdivisions such as Stonebridge, often with larger yards and HOA-maintained common areas.
- Price snapshot: Redfin median sale around $495,000 in Dec 2025. Realtor median listing around $586,000 in Oct 2025. Expect a wider band given the mix of build years and lot sizes.
- Commute and access: US‑70 and local arterials connect to I‑269 and I‑40. Central Memphis commutes can be longer.
- Everyday amenities: Smaller commercial core inside city limits, with many residents relying on nearby Bartlett or Cordova for bigger retail and services.
- Best fit if you want: Newer homes, larger lots, and a quieter environment, and you are fine with more driving for shopping or work.
Arlington
Arlington is a fast-growing exurban town with newer subdivisions. The ACS median owner value is about $424,400 and mean commute time is close to 27 minutes, per Arlington QuickFacts.
- Housing and feel: Mostly single-family, developer-built neighborhoods with many move-up options.
- Price snapshot: Redfin median sale about $447,000 in Dec 2025. Realtor median listing about $525,000 in Oct 2025. Newer construction can lift list prices above closed-sale medians.
- Commute and access: SR‑385 and I‑40 are primary links. Distance from central job centers adds time for many commuters.
- Everyday amenities: Neighborhood parks and town-level retail, with major shopping often in Bartlett or around Wolfchase.
- Best fit if you want: Newer homes and space, and you accept longer average commutes.
Millington
Millington is typically the most affordable option among the suburbs covered here. The ACS median owner-occupied value is about $207,300, with a mean commute time near 21 minutes per Millington QuickFacts.
- Housing and feel: A higher share of older and modest single-family homes, plus entry-level ownership opportunities.
- Price snapshot: Redfin median sale around $275,000 in Dec 2025. Realtor median listing near $298,500 in Oct 2025.
- Commute and access: Shorter average commutes reflect more local employment, including Naval Support Activity Mid‑South. Learn more about the installation through NSA Mid‑South.
- Everyday amenities: Daily retail and services are available in town. Larger hospital and retail clusters are a drive away.
- Best fit if you want: Value-focused options or you work near Millington.
Cordova
Cordova is within the City of Memphis and spans a large east-side area. It balances mid-range pricing with major retail access. While ACS commute figures are reported for incorporated places, you can expect Cordova drive times to be comparable to nearby east-side suburbs due to its position along Germantown Parkway and I‑40.
- Housing and feel: A wide mix of single-family neighborhoods, including older areas and newer outer subdivisions.
- Price snapshot: Redfin median sale around $307,000 in Jan 2026. Zillow’s ZHVI tracked near $307,000 in mid 2025. Realtor generally showed low to mid 300s for listings.
- Commute and access: I‑40 and Germantown Parkway offer strong regional connectivity.
- Everyday amenities: Wolfchase Galleria and extensive big-box corridors make weekly errands simple.
- Best fit if you want: Mid-range pricing, many neighborhood choices, and close access to shopping.
Quick buyer checklist
Use this list to narrow your search to two or three suburbs before touring.
- Budget bracket: Write down your pre-approval target and compare each suburb’s vendor snapshots. Example for Collierville: Redfin Dec 2025 around $483,500 for median sold and Realtor Oct 2025 around $565,000 for median list.
- Commute tolerance: Check the ACS mean commute for your target suburb, then measure your personal drive to work during peak hours to confirm it matches your comfort zone.
- Amenities audit: Identify your nearest full-service hospital, top three grocery options, a weekly shopping node, and at least two parks or recreation spots. For hospital context near Germantown, see Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital.
- New construction vs resale: If a newer build matters, focus on Lakeland, Arlington, and select parts of Collierville. Ask about build timelines, warranties, and HOA rules at your tour.
- HOA and lot-size details: Confirm dues, restrictions, and what the HOA maintains. Larger-lot neighborhoods can have different upkeep expectations.
- Market timing: Days on market and inventory move month to month. Get a fresh MLS snapshot from a local agent before you write an offer.
Final thoughts and local help
Each Shelby County suburb delivers a different mix of price, commute, and lifestyle. Collierville and Germantown lean higher on price with more established amenities. Lakeland and Arlington offer newer homes and space. Bartlett and Cordova deliver strong everyday convenience at mid-range price points. Millington brings value and shorter average commutes for those whose work is nearby.
If you want a local team to help you compare neighborhoods, confirm up-to-the-minute pricing, and line up tours that fit your wish list, connect with 2 Rivers Realty LLC. Our broker-led guidance and neighborhood-level insight make your next move simpler and more confident.
FAQs
What is the most affordable Shelby County suburb for buyers right now?
- Millington often shows the lowest median prices among the suburbs covered here, with recent vendor snapshots placing closed sales around the mid to upper $200s and listings near the high $200s.
How do Collierville and Germantown compare on commute times and amenities?
- Collierville’s mean commute is about 25 to 26 minutes and Germantown’s is near 22 minutes per ACS, with Germantown offering extensive parks and medical access and Collierville offering a walkable Town Square and strong retail nearby.
Which suburbs tend to have newer homes and larger lots?
- Lakeland and Arlington often feature newer subdivisions and larger yards, while parts of Collierville also offer newer master-planned communities.
Where can I find mid-range pricing with big-box convenience?
- Bartlett and Cordova typically deliver mid-range home prices with quick access to shopping corridors around Germantown Parkway, Stage Road, and Wolfchase.
Why do Redfin, Realtor, and Zillow show different prices for the same suburb?
- Each vendor tracks a different metric and time frame, such as median sale price versus median listing price or an indexed home value, so the figures will not match one to one.
How should I factor commute into my neighborhood choice?
- Start with the ACS mean commute for each suburb, then test-drive your route to your top two or three job locations during rush hour to confirm the real-world experience.
