Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,150 in New Hampshire versus $1,142 in Tennessee. Overall, Tennessee runs roughly 1% cheaper on rent than New Hampshire, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $77,415 in New Hampshire and $63,204 in Tennessee — about 18% higher in New Hampshire. New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
7%
+7.0 pp in Tennessee
Income Tax (top rate)
None
None
about equal
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,150
$1,142
+1% in New Hampshire
Median Home Value
$336,300
$270,100
+20% in New Hampshire
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$77,415
$63,204
+18% in New Hampshire
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
49.2°F
61.3°F
+12.0°F in Tennessee
New Hampshire vs Tennessee — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in New Hampshire or Tennessee?
- Tennessee is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,142 runs about 1% below New Hampshire's $1,150, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in New Hampshire 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 $46,000 a year in New Hampshire versus $46,000 in Tennessee.
- Which has lower taxes, New Hampshire or Tennessee?
- New Hampshire has no state income tax and no 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 New Hampshire/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.