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Sober Living in Tennessee: Costs, Certification, and How to Find a Home in Nashville and Memphis
Tennessee now has a state framework for certified recovery residences. Here's how certification works under the new law, what sober living costs, and how to find a home in Nashville and Memphis.
By Sober Living Central Editorial Team · Published 2026-10-04 · Updated 2026-10-04 · 3 min read
Tennessee's recovery community is concentrated in its two largest cities. Nashville has the bigger and more varied sober living market, and Memphis has an established network of recovery homes of its own. The state also changed how recovery housing is certified in 2026, which matters when you're choosing a home. Here's what to know.
Sober Living in Tennessee by the Numbers
Sober Living Central lists 123 sober living homes and recovery residences in Tennessee. Most are in the state's two main recovery hubs:
- Nashville: 81 homes. Browse sober living in Nashville.
- Memphis: 41 homes. Browse sober living in Memphis.
Knoxville and Chattanooga also have recovery communities. If you're looking there, start with the Tennessee directory and widen your search to nearby towns.
Tennessee's New Certification Framework
Since January 1, 2026, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) approves the organizations that certify recovery residences, under Tennessee Code § 33-2-1401 (Public Chapter 406). Certifying organizations must meet minimum standards set out in the law, and the state approves them for three-year terms.
The law also gives certified homes a practical advantage: the Tennessee Department of Correction is directed to recognize approved recovery residences as placements for people with a substance use disorder who are on community supervision, and to give those residences preference. If a court, probation officer or parole officer is involved in your or your loved one's recovery, ask whether the home is an approved recovery residence.
The Tennessee Alliance of Recovery Residences (TN-ARR) is the state affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR). Our guide to NARR certification explains what certification checks and why it's one of the most reliable quality signals you have. For the bigger picture on regulation, see are sober living homes licensed?
What Sober Living Costs in Tennessee
Tennessee is more affordable than the coastal recovery markets. Most homes are peer-run or monitored residences, the two levels where costs are lowest. Nationally, those run roughly $300 to $700 a month for peer-run homes and $500 to $1,200 a month for monitored homes with a house manager, and many Tennessee homes charge weekly rather than monthly. Expect Nashville to sit at the higher end, driven by its housing costs.
Always confirm what the fee includes, such as utilities, drug testing and transport. Our full cost guide breaks down pricing by level and region, and how to pay for sober living covers the options if cost is a barrier.
Oxford Houses in Tennessee
Oxford House of Tennessee describes itself as the largest network of recovery homes in the state. Oxford Houses are self-run and democratically managed: residents share costs and make decisions together, with no house manager. They're often among the most affordable options. If you're weighing one, read our comparison of Oxford Houses vs sober living homes.
What to Expect
Tennessee sober living homes run on the same fundamentals as recovery housing everywhere: staying sober, drug testing, curfews, shared chores and regular meeting attendance. Review our guide to sober living house rules before you move in.
How to Choose a Home in Tennessee
- Ask whether the home is certified, and by which organization
- If the justice system is involved, ask whether it's an approved recovery residence for placements
- Confirm the weekly or monthly cost and exactly what it covers
- Ask about house rules, length of stay and what happens after a relapse
- Visit in person, and talk to current residents if you can
Find Sober Living in Tennessee
Explore sober living homes and recovery residences across Tennessee. Confirm certification, pricing and availability directly with each home.