North Carolina vs Tennessee
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.75%
7%
+2.3 pp in Tennessee
Income Tax (top rate)
3.99%
None
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,349
$1,142
+15% in North Carolina
Median Home Value
$364,650
$270,100
+26% in North Carolina
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$80,431
$63,204
+21% in North Carolina
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
60.3°F
61.3°F
+1.0°F in Tennessee
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/2 cities we track in North Carolina/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.