Tennessee Cost of Living Calculator
Tennessee scores 89.7 on the C2ER cost of living index (housing 80.0, Q2 2026): $75,000 at the U.S. average equals about $67,275 here; its highest part is groceries at 96.3.
| Index | Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Composite (sets the equivalent salary) | 89.7 |
| Housing (sets the equivalent rent) | 80.0 |
| Groceries | 96.3 |
| Utilities | 88.0 |
| Transportation | 93.0 |
| Health care | 89.5 |
| Other goods and services | 95.0 |
Source: MERIC Cost of Living Data Series, C2ER (https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series).
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Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index)
Additional Details
Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index, Housing component)
Equivalent Salary Needed
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Salary Difference
-$7,725.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
Tennessee's figures fill the destination side: composite 89.7 for the salary, housing 80.0 for the rent, and none on wages for the tax line.
How the salary, rent and tax lines are worked out (the same for every state)
Key State Information
Tennessee ranks 9th lowest of the 50 states on the composite index (89.7). Median household income: $71,997 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B19013). Statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD FY2027): $1,406 a month.
What Tennessee's index does to a salary and a rent
| Salary at the U.S. average | Same buying power in Tennessee | Rent at the U.S. average → in Tennessee | Tennessee income tax on that salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $44,850 | $1,000 → $800 | $0 |
| $75,000 | $67,275 | $1,500 → $1,200 | $0 |
| $100,000 | $89,700 | $2,000 → $1,600 | $0 |
| $150,000 | $134,550 | $2,500 → $2,000 | $0 |
Tennessee does not tax wages.
Tennessee and the states it borders
| State | Its composite / housing | $75,000 there = in Tennessee | $1,500 rent there = in Tennessee | $75,000 in Tennessee = there | Income tax there → here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 86.0 / 68.6 | $78,227 | $1,749 | $71,906 | 5% top rate → none on wages |
| Arkansas | 89.0 / 76.9 | $75,590 | $1,560 | $74,415 | 3.7% top rate → none on wages |
| Georgia | 90.1 / 77.6 | $74,667 | $1,546 | $75,334 | 4.99% flat → none on wages |
| Kentucky | 94.0 / 79.4 | $71,569 | $1,511 | $78,595 | 3.5% flat → none on wages |
| Mississippi | 87.4 / 70.8 | $76,974 | $1,695 | $73,077 | 4% top rate → none on wages |
| Missouri | 88.2 / 77.7 | $76,276 | $1,544 | $73,746 | 4.7% top rate → none on wages |
| North Carolina | 96.7 / 91.4 | $69,571 | $1,313 | $80,853 | 3.99% flat → none on wages |
| Virginia | 99.0 / 99.3 | $67,955 | $1,208 | $82,776 | 5.75% top rate → none on wages |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Tennessee?
Tennessee's composite index is 89.7 for Q2 2026, the 9th lowest of the 50 states, tied with Indiana. A $75,000 salary at the national average buys what about $67,275 buys in Tennessee.
Which prices are highest and lowest in Tennessee?
Against a U.S. average of 100, Tennessee's highest part is groceries (96.3) and its lowest is housing (80.0); none of the six parts is above the national average (C2ER, Q2 2026).
What salary keeps a two-bedroom rent in Tennessee at 30% of income?
About $56,240 a year: Tennessee's FY2027 statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,406 a month, and $16,872 a year is 30% of that salary.