Kentucky vs Tennessee
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
7%
+1.0 pp in Tennessee
Income Tax (top rate)
3.50%
None
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$877
$1,142
+30% in Tennessee
Median Home Value
$221,500
$270,100
+22% in Tennessee
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$64,731
$63,204
+2% in Kentucky
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
58.2°F
61.3°F
+3.0°F in Tennessee
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/2 cities we track in Kentucky/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.