Cost of living in Tennessee
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
Prices in Tennessee are 8.1% below the national average — a Regional Price Parity of 91.9 (U.S. = 100), making it the #14 cheapest of 51 states and DC. Compare Tennessee with any other state below, including the effect of taxes.
- Texas vs Tennessee prices
- 5.6% pricier
- Take-home in Tennessee at $75,000
- $61,593$5,133 / month
- Take-home you'd need in Texas
- $65,070$5,423 / month
- Take-home in Texas at the same $75,000
- $61,593$5,133 / month
- Same salary: change in real take-home
- −5.3%−$3,478 a year in Tennessee buying power
Equivalent after tax = the gross pay in Texas whose take-home, adjusted for Texas prices, buys what your Tennessee take-home buys today. Statewide averages — big metros (and rent) vary a lot within a state.
How to compare Tennessee with another state
- Enter your salary — the calculator starts with Tennessee as your current state.
- Pick the state you're comparing with (moving to Tennessee? press ⇄ to swap).
- Read the salary with equal buying power after taxes, and the "same salary" change in your real take-home.
Tennessee prices by category
| Category | Tennessee | vs U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.9 | −8.1% |
| Goods | 96.2 | −3.8% |
| Housing (rent) | 79.1 | −20.9% |
| Utilities | 72.1 | −27.9% |
| Other services | 95.1 | −4.9% |
Low housing costs keep Tennessee affordable: rents run 21% below average. The overall price level fell 0.2% relative to the nation versus 2023 (92.1). Housing covers rent and the rental value of owner-occupied homes; "other services" includes health care, dining out, transportation and education.
Take-home pay in Tennessee, adjusted for prices
| Salary | Taxes | Take-home | Real take-home | U.S.-average equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $7,645 | $42,355 | $46,103 | $54,425 |
| $75,000 | $13,408 | $61,593 | $67,043 | $81,637 |
| $100,000 | $20,820 | $79,180 | $86,187 | $108,849 |
At $75,000, Tennessee ranks #7 of 51 for real take-home pay, after both taxes and prices. Full paycheck details: Tennessee paycheck calculator.
What $75,000 in Tennessee equals in other states
Prices = price level relative to Tennessee. "Salary (after tax)" is what you'd need to earn there, single filer, to live like you do on $75,000 in Tennessee once both prices and state taxes are counted.
| State | Prices | Salary (prices only) | Salary (after tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | −1.9% | $73,603 | $77,035 |
| Virginia | +10.1% | $82,538 | $89,999 |
| North Carolina | +2.7% | $77,005 | $81,224 |
| Georgia | +4.8% | $78,611 | $84,118 |
| Alabama | −3.3% | $72,513 | $76,631 |
| Mississippi | −5.4% | $70,986 | $73,450 |
| Arkansas | −5.4% | $70,973 | $73,470 |
| Missouri | −1.1% | $74,140 | $77,777 |
| State | Prices | Salary (prices only) | Salary (after tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | −4.5% | $71,646 | $74,165 |
| Oklahoma | −4.4% | $71,712 | $75,197 |
| California | +20.5% | $90,389 | $102,352 |
| Hawaii | +19.7% | $89,761 | $101,149 |
| Washington, DC | +19.6% | $89,720 | $100,204 |
| New Jersey | +18.4% | $88,825 | $97,729 |
| Texas | +5.6% | $79,235 | $79,943 |
| Florida | +12.6% | $84,424 | $86,001 |
| New York | +17.5% | $88,104 | $97,636 |
Moving from Tennessee to a pricier state? The "after taxes too" column folds in state income tax, so a no-tax state can beat a cheaper state with a high income tax. Statewide averages hide large metro differences — check local rents before you move.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by State, 2024 (table SARPP, released February 19, 2026, bea.gov). Take-home pay: our 2026 federal, FICA and state income-tax engine, single filer, no pre-tax deductions; local income taxes are not included.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Tennessee expensive to live in?
Tennessee has a price level of 91.9 (U.S. = 100), so living costs are 8.1% below the national average. It ranks #14 of 51 from cheapest to most expensive (BEA 2024).
How much do you need to make to live in Tennessee?
To match the buying power of a $75,000 salary at national-average prices, you need about $68,903 in Tennessee before taxes. After Tennessee taxes, $75,000 takes home $61,593 — worth $67,043 at U.S.-average prices, #7 of 51 states.
How much more expensive is rent in Tennessee?
Tennessee's housing price level is 79.1, meaning rents are 20.9% below the national average. Goods are 96.2 and utilities 72.1.
Which neighboring state is cheapest?
Arkansas (price level 86.9, −5.4% vs Tennessee). A $75,000 Tennessee salary is equivalent to $73,470 there after taxes.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.