Donelson vs. Hermitage: Which Area Fits Your Nashville Home Search?

Donelson and Hermitage sit next to each other on Nashville's east side, both inside Davidson County, both close to the airport, and both priced below the citywide median. On a map they look similar. In practice, they offer different housing stock, different lot sizes, and different tradeoffs on commute, new construction, and outdoor access. This guide compares the two side by side so you can decide which one deserves a closer look.

The Comparison

Donelson is closer to downtown Nashville (about 10–15 minutes) and is mostly mid-century brick ranches on larger lots, with a median sold price near $420,000 in ZIP code 37214. Hermitage is farther east (about 15–25 minutes to downtown), has more active new construction and 55+ communities, and offers lake and greenway access. Many buyers choose Donelson for the shorter commute and larger lots, and Hermitage for newer homes and lower price per square foot.

How Do Donelson and Hermitage Compare on Price?

RealTracs tracks Donelson, Hermitage, and Old Hickory together, and that combined area posted a median sale price of $390,000 for the quarter ending June 2026, roughly flat from a year earlier. Looking at each area on its own, RealTracs-based reporting from early 2026 put the median sold price in Donelson's ZIP code (37214) at about $420,000, with most homes selling between the upper $200,000s and upper $500,000s.

For Hermitage (37076), local market reporting from early 2026 showed a median list price near $503,000 and an average of about $234 per square foot. That figure is a list price rather than a sold price, and it is pulled upward by newer construction and larger executive-style homes, so it should not be compared directly with Donelson's sold-price median. The more useful comparison is by price band. Single-family homes in Hermitage commonly fall between roughly $350,000 and $650,000, while townhomes and other attached housing run roughly $240,000 to $430,000. One local brokerage's analysis estimated Hermitage's price per square foot at roughly 15–20% below Donelson's, though buyers should confirm that against current sales for the specific type of home they want.

Both areas sit within a Nashville market that is currently the strongest buyer's market in the country, according to Redfin's August 2026 data, with an estimated 139% more sellers than buyers. That generally gives buyers in both areas more negotiating room than they have had in several years. For more on that shift, see our post on [Nashville's #1 buyer's market ranking].

What Can the Same Budget Buy in Each Area?

At roughly $400,000, Donelson buyers are typically looking at the middle of the area's core price tier: an original or lightly updated mid-century brick ranch on a lot that is often a third of an acre to a half acre, or a newer townhome. In Hermitage, the same budget more commonly reaches a newer-construction single-family home or townhome. For example, new-construction listings in the Crestview community in 2026 were advertised in the low $420,000s for roughly 1,750 square feet, three bedrooms, on lots of about 0.15 acre. Established subdivisions in Hermitage built from the 1980s through the early 2000s are also available in this range, often with garages, bonus rooms, and fenced yards.

At roughly $500,000, Donelson buyers can generally access substantially renovated homes, the higher end of pockets such as Bluefields and Maplecrest, and larger lots. In Hermitage, the same budget reaches larger new-construction floor plans, such as Crestview homes of around 2,500 square feet with four bedrooms advertised near $500,000 in early 2026, as well as larger established homes in subdivisions along Lebanon Pike and the Old Hickory Boulevard corridor.

Listings and prices change often, and these examples illustrate general patterns rather than current inventory.

How Do Home Styles, Ages, and Lot Sizes Differ?

Donelson's housing stock is dominated by mid-century construction. Brick ranches and minimal traditional homes from the 1950s through 1970s are the most common, with some 1980s and 1990s homes and newer infill mixed in. Lots are often larger than in many other parts of Nashville, with many established homes sitting on lots of roughly a third of an acre to a half acre, and some exceeding an acre.

Hermitage has a broader mix by decade. Its established subdivisions were built primarily from the 1980s through the early 2000s, with brick construction, garages, and larger floor plans typical of that era. The area also has an active pipeline of newer homes, and those newer communities tend to use smaller lots. Crestview listings, for instance, have shown lots of around 0.15 acre, noticeably smaller than the lots on many older Donelson homes. Buyers who prioritize yard space generally find more of it in Donelson's older streets, while buyers who prioritize newer systems and floor plans generally find more of that in Hermitage.

What About Condos and Townhomes?

Both areas have attached housing options below the price of a detached home. In Donelson, townhomes start in the low $200,000s, and townhome and infill communities near Lebanon Pike generally fall between roughly $250,000 and $450,000. In Hermitage, townhomes and entry-level attached housing run roughly $240,000 to $430,000, with communities such as Tulip Springs Townhomes and Hope Village among the active options. Local reporting has noted that Hermitage's attached housing is generally priced below comparable townhomes in Donelson and East Nashville.

Which Area Has More New Construction?

Hermitage currently has the larger concentration of active new construction. Crestview is one of the more active new-build communities in the ZIP code, and Magnolia Farms and Overlook at Aarons Cress have been reported as offering comparable product at similar price points. Hermitage also has Parkhaven, an age-restricted 55+ community with about 860 homes built from 2024 to the present, according to 55places.com.

Donelson has new construction as well, but it tends to be scattered infill and townhome development rather than large master-planned communities. Examples include newer move-in-ready homes on streets such as Markham Street and townhome projects near Lebanon Pike.

With Nashville in a buyer's market, builders in some communities have been offering incentives such as rate buydowns and closing cost assistance. Ask each builder what is currently available, since offers change frequently.

What Should Buyers Know About HOAs?

Many detached homes in Donelson's established neighborhoods do not have an HOA, and listings often say so directly. Townhomes and newer infill communities in Donelson are more likely to have HOA fees.

In Hermitage, HOA presence depends heavily on the community. Newer subdivisions such as Crestview and 55+ communities like Parkhaven are more likely to have HOAs, with 55+ communities often providing low-maintenance exterior care. Older subdivisions along Lebanon Pike vary. In both areas, confirm HOA status, monthly fees, and any restrictions for each specific property before making an offer.

How Do Downtown and Airport Access Compare?

Donelson is closer to both. Most Donelson addresses are roughly 10–15 minutes from downtown Nashville and 5–8 minutes from Nashville International Airport. Hermitage is typically about 15–20 minutes from downtown via I-40 for the western part of the area, and the far eastern edge can take 25–30 minutes depending on traffic and exact location. Most of Hermitage is under about 10 minutes from the airport.

Donelson also has a Music City Star commuter rail stop with service to downtown, which is uncommon among Nashville neighborhoods.

What Are the Major Roads in Each Area?

Both areas rely on I-40 for access to downtown. Donelson is bordered by I-40 to the south and Briley Parkway to the north and east, with Lebanon Pike, McGavock Pike, Donelson Pike, and Stewarts Ferry Pike as primary local routes. Hermitage is served by I-40, Lebanon Pike, Old Hickory Boulevard, Central Pike, Andrew Jackson Parkway, and Tulip Grove Road. Metro Nashville has installed smart traffic signals at 36 intersections along Lebanon Pike, a corridor that runs through both areas, including intersections at Donelson Pike, Stewarts Ferry Pike, Central Pike, Old Hickory Boulevard, Andrew Jackson Parkway, and Tulip Grove.

How Do Shopping, Parks, and Recreation Compare?

Donelson is anchored by Two Rivers Park, a 374-acre Metro park with a golf course, historic mansion, skate park, disc golf course, and dog park, along with Wave Country. Opry Mills, the Grand Ole Opry, and Gaylord Opryland are minutes to the north, and Lebanon Pike has grocery stores, restaurants, breweries, and the Friday Donelson Farmers Market.

Hermitage is more oriented toward lakes and trails. It sits between Percy Priest Lake and Old Hickory Lake, with roughly 11 miles of the Stones River Greenway, nearby Long Hunter State Park, Andrew Jackson's Hermitage historic site, and the Hermitage Golf Course. Lebanon Pike serves as the main retail corridor, with grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-box retail. Two Rivers Park is also reachable from parts of Hermitage.

What Are the Advantages and Tradeoffs of Each Area?

Donelson's advantages include a shorter commute to downtown and the airport, a commuter rail stop, larger lots on many established streets, and a high concentration of mid-century brick homes. Its tradeoffs include older housing stock that may need updates or closer inspection, flight-path noise on some streets, and a more limited supply of large new-construction communities.

Hermitage's advantages include more active new construction, a lower price per square foot on average, a wider mix of 1980s-to-2000s subdivisions, 55+ communities, and strong lake and greenway access. Its tradeoffs include a longer commute to downtown, smaller lots in newer communities, and a more car-dependent layout, with retail concentrated along Lebanon Pike rather than in a walkable center.

What Questions Should Buyers Ask Before Choosing?

• How long a commute to downtown or work am I comfortable with, and do I want the option of commuter rail?
• Do I want a larger lot, or is a smaller lot with a newer home a better fit?
• Am I comfortable with the age and potential maintenance of a mid-century home, or do I want newer construction and builder warranties?
• Would I rather be near a large park and shopping center, or near lakes and long greenway trails?
• Do I want an HOA, or do I prefer to avoid one?
• How close do I want to be to the airport flight path, and have I visited the street at different times of day?
• What do my monthly numbers look like once I include property taxes, insurance, and any HOA fees?

Elam's Local Insight

Buyers comparing Donelson and Hermitage often start with price, but the choice usually comes down to a few practical tradeoffs: commute length, lot size, and whether a newer or older home fits better. Walking the specific streets you are considering, at different times of day, and comparing recent sales for the exact type of home you want, rather than area-wide averages, tends to be the most reliable way to narrow it down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Donelson or Hermitage more affordable? Both are below Nashville's citywide median. RealTracs reported a combined Donelson-Hermitage-Old Hickory median sale price of $390,000 for the quarter ending June 2026. Hermitage's average price per square foot is generally lower, while Donelson's median sold price in ZIP 37214 was about $420,000 in early 2026. The better comparison is by price band and home type.

Which area is closer to downtown Nashville? Donelson. Most Donelson addresses are about 10–15 minutes from downtown, while Hermitage is typically about 15–25 minutes depending on location and traffic.

Which area has more new construction? Hermitage currently has more active new-construction communities, including Crestview and the Parkhaven 55+ community. Donelson has scattered infill, newer townhomes, and some move-in-ready new builds.

Which area has larger lots? Many established Donelson streets have lots of roughly a third of an acre to a half acre or more. Hermitage's established subdivisions often have sizable lots too, but newer communities there tend to use smaller lots, such as around 0.15 acre in Crestview.

Are both areas close to the airport? Yes. Donelson is typically 5–8 minutes from BNA and most of Hermitage is under about 10 minutes. Flight-path noise varies by street in both areas.

Do homes in Donelson and Hermitage have HOAs? It depends on the community. Many older detached homes in Donelson have no HOA, while townhomes, newer subdivisions, and 55+ communities in both areas are more likely to. Always confirm HOA status and fees for each property.

Ready to Compare Donelson and Hermitage? Talk to an Elam Agent.

An Elam agent can help you compare recent sales, new-construction incentives, and commute times in both areas, and tour homes in each so you can see the differences in person. Contact ELAM Real Estate. Compare available homes in Donelson and Hermitage. Search current homes for sale in both areas: ElamRE.com/property

Sources

• Nesting in Nashville, "Donelson Nashville Neighborhood Guide 2026" (RealTracs 37214 data, March 2026): https://nestinginnashville.com/guides/donelson-neighborhood-guide
• Nesting in Nashville, "Hermitage TN Neighborhood Guide 2026": https://nestinginnashville.com/guides/hermitage-neighborhood-guide
• Zivak Realty Group, "Nashville Housing Market Update, August 2026" (RealTracs data, quarter ending June 2026): https://www.zivakrealtygroup.com/nashville-housing-market-update-august-2026/
• Redfin, "It's Now The Strongest Buyer's Market on Record, Driven by the Sun Belt" (August 2026): https://www.redfin.com/news/buyers-vs-sellers-august-2026/
• RE/MAX listing, 1778 Flora Grove, Hermitage (Crestview, RealTracs MLS data): https://gold.remax.com/property/12-3244070-1778-flora-grv-hermitage-TN-37076
• RE/MAX listing, 1965 Mahala Drive, Hermitage (Crestview, RealTracs MLS data): https://vsims.remax.com/property/12-3073762-1965-mahala-dr-hermitage-TN-37076
• 55places.com, Hermitage, TN 55+ communities (Parkhaven): https://www.55places.com/tennessee/city/hermitage
• Homes.com, Donelson neighborhood listings and overview: https://www.homes.com/nashville-tn/donelson-neighborhood/
• Metro Nashville Parks, Two Rivers Park: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/parks/parks/two-rivers-park
• WTVF NewsChannel 5, "Metro Nashville unveils smart signals at 36 intersections along Lebanon Pike": https://www.newschannel5.com/news/state/tennessee/davidson-county/metro-nashville-unveils-smart-signals-at-36-intersections-along-lebanon-pike

Data verified October 2026. Neighborhood-level figures reflect RealTracs and local market reporting from early to mid 2026 and may have changed.