Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,235 in Florida versus $1,142 in Tennessee. Overall, Tennessee runs roughly 8% cheaper on rent than Florida, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $69,142 in Florida and $63,204 in Tennessee — about 9% higher in Florida. Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
7%
+1.0 pp in Tennessee
Income Tax (top rate)
None
None
about equal
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,235
$1,142
+8% in Florida
Median Home Value
$320,700
$270,100
+16% in Florida
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$69,142
$63,204
+9% in Florida
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
71.8°F
61.3°F
+10.6°F in Florida
Florida vs Tennessee — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Florida or Tennessee?
- Tennessee is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,142 runs about 8% below Florida's $1,235, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Florida 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 $49,000 a year in Florida versus $46,000 in Tennessee.
- Which has lower taxes, Florida or Tennessee?
- Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax. Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/2 cities we track in Florida/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.