Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,142 in Tennessee versus $1,332 in Washington. Overall, Tennessee runs roughly 14% cheaper on rent than Washington, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,204 in Tennessee and $83,857 in Washington — about 25% higher in Washington. Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
7%
6.5%
+0.5 pp in Tennessee
Income Tax (top rate)
None
None
about equal
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,142
$1,332
+17% in Washington
Median Home Value
$270,100
$454,600
+68% in Washington
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,204
$83,857
+33% in Washington
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
61.3°F
52.1°F
+9.1°F in Tennessee
Tennessee vs Washington — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Tennessee or Washington?
- Tennessee is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,142 runs about 14% below Washington's $1,332, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Tennessee than in Washington?
- 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 $53,000 in Washington.
- Which has lower taxes, Tennessee or Washington?
- Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/3 cities we track in Tennessee/Washington — 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.