Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,133 in Idaho versus $1,142 in Tennessee. Overall, Idaho runs roughly 1% cheaper on rent than Tennessee, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $81,308 in Idaho and $63,204 in Tennessee — about 22% higher in Idaho. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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)
5.30%
None
+5.3 pp in Idaho
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,133
$1,142
+1% in Tennessee
Median Home Value
$456,000
$270,100
+41% in Idaho
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$81,308
$63,204
+22% in Idaho
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.5°F
61.3°F
+8.8°F in Tennessee
Idaho vs Tennessee — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Idaho or Tennessee?
- Idaho is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,133 runs about 1% below Tennessee's $1,142, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho 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 $45,000 a year in Idaho versus $46,000 in Tennessee.
- Which has lower taxes, Idaho or Tennessee?
- Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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 1/2 cities we track in Idaho/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.