Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,576 in Georgia versus $1,142 in Tennessee. Overall, Tennessee runs roughly 28% cheaper on rent than Georgia, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $81,938 in Georgia and $63,204 in Tennessee — about 23% higher in Georgia. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
7%
+3.0 pp in Tennessee
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
None
+5.2 pp in Georgia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,576
$1,142
+28% in Georgia
Median Home Value
$420,600
$270,100
+36% in Georgia
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$81,938
$63,204
+23% in Georgia
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
62.6°F
61.3°F
+1.4°F in Georgia
Georgia vs Tennessee — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Georgia or Tennessee?
- Tennessee is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,142 runs about 28% below Georgia's $1,576, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Georgia 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 $63,000 a year in Georgia versus $46,000 in Tennessee.
- Which has lower taxes, Georgia or Tennessee?
- Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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 Georgia/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.