Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,181 in Connecticut versus $1,142 in Tennessee. Overall, Tennessee runs roughly 3% cheaper on rent than Connecticut, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $56,584 in Connecticut and $63,204 in Tennessee — about 10% higher in Tennessee. Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.35%
7%
+0.7 pp in Tennessee
Income Tax (top rate)
6.99%
None
+7.0 pp in Connecticut
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,181
$1,142
+3% in Connecticut
Median Home Value
$252,400
$270,100
+7% in Tennessee
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$56,584
$63,204
+12% in Tennessee
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.5°F
61.3°F
+8.8°F in Tennessee
Connecticut vs Tennessee — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Connecticut or Tennessee?
- Tennessee is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,142 runs about 3% below Connecticut's $1,181, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Connecticut than in Tennessee?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Connecticut versus $46,000 in Tennessee.
- Which has lower taxes, Connecticut or Tennessee?
- Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax. Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/2 cities we track in Connecticut/Tennessee — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.