Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,142 in Tennessee versus $1,170 in Texas. Overall, Tennessee runs roughly 2% cheaper on rent than Texas, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,204 in Tennessee and $67,043 in Texas — about 6% higher in Texas. Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
7%
6.25%
+0.8 pp in Tennessee
Income Tax (top rate)
None
None
about equal
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,142
$1,170
+2% in Texas
Median Home Value
$270,100
$264,900
+2% in Tennessee
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,204
$67,043
+6% in Texas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
61.3°F
67.2°F
+6.0°F in Texas
Tennessee vs Texas — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Tennessee or Texas?
- Tennessee is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,142 runs about 2% below Texas's $1,170, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Tennessee than in Texas?
- 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 Tennessee versus $47,000 in Texas.
- Which has lower taxes, Tennessee or Texas?
- Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/8 cities we track in Tennessee/Texas — 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.