State Comparison
Tennessee vs Virginia
Side-by-side comparison of 16 financial metrics using documented public datasets and estimates, with sources listed below.
Overall Score
Cost of Living
Housing
Taxes
Income & Employment
Business
Insurance & Living
Key Takeaways
- 1
Both states are evenly matched, each winning in 8 metrics — your decision should depend on which factors matter most to you.
- 2
Housing: Median home prices are $339,000 in Tennessee vs $420,000 in Virginia — a $81,000 difference.
- 3
Taxes: Tennessee has no income tax while Virginia has a 5.75% top rate. Property tax rates are 0.52% vs 0.78%.
- 4
Cost of Living: Tennessee's index is 88.9 and Virginia's is 99.1 (national average = 100).
Run the Numbers
Use our free calculators with real Tennessee and Virginia data to model your specific scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tennessee or Virginia more affordable?
Tennessee has a lower cost of living index (88.9) compared to Virginia (99.1), where 100 is the national average. However, affordability depends on your specific situation — compare housing, taxes, and income together for a complete picture.
Which state has lower taxes — Tennessee or Virginia?
It depends on what you earn, spend, and own — the three rates below apply to different bases (income, purchases, and home value), so they cannot be added into a single burden figure. On the headline rates alone, Tennessee is lower on more of them. Tennessee has no income tax, 7% state sales tax, and a 0.52% effective property tax rate. Virginia has a 5.75% top income tax, 5.3% state sales tax, and a 0.78% effective property tax rate.
What are housing costs in Tennessee vs Virginia?
The typical home value in Tennessee is $339,000 compared to $420,000 in Virginia (Zillow Home Value Index, June 2026). For renters, HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit — the 40th-percentile gross rent, not an average — is $1,363/month in Tennessee vs $1,735/month in Virginia.
Which state is better for starting a business — Tennessee or Virginia?
LLC filing costs are $300 in Tennessee vs $100 in Virginia, with annual fees of $300 and $50 respectively. Tennessee's lack of income tax compared to Virginia's 5.75% rate may also factor into your decision.
Should I move from Tennessee to Virginia?
It depends on your priorities. Virginia wins in 8 of 16 metrics we compared. Use our free calculators to model your specific financial scenario — including salary, property tax, and cost of living for each state.
Newsletter Signups Are Paused
We're building the email delivery behind our newsletter so we can do it properly — signups aren't open yet. Check back soon.
No form here and nothing is collected. Read our privacy policy.
Related Comparisons
Comparing Tennessee and Virginia
When deciding between living in Tennessee or Virginia, the financial picture goes beyond just one metric. This comparison analyzes 16 key financial indicators drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey), the Tax Foundation, HUD Fair Market Rents, Zillow's Home Value Index, the NAIC's insurance databases, the U.S. Department of Labor, C2ER's Cost of Living Index, and state agencies, to give you a comprehensive overview.
Tennessee (TN) has a median household income of $71,997 with a cost of living index of 88.9. Virginia (VA) has a median household income of $92,090 with a cost of living index of 99.1. Income figures are Census ACS 1-year estimates (table B19013, 2024); the cost-of-living index is C2ER's Q1 2026 survey via MERIC, where 100 is the national average of surveyed cities.
These numbers are estimates. Individual circumstances vary based on location within each state, family size, profession, and lifestyle. Use our free Tennessee calculator or Virginia calculator to model your specific financial scenario.
Sources per metric are named in each row's note above. Last reviewed . Some values are estimates; consult a qualified professional for financial advice.