Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,142 in Tennessee versus $849 in Wisconsin. Overall, Wisconsin runs roughly 26% cheaper on rent than Tennessee, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,204 in Tennessee and $51,888 in Wisconsin — about 18% higher in Tennessee. Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
7%
5%
+2.0 pp in Tennessee
Income Tax (top rate)
None
7.65%
+7.7 pp in Wisconsin
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,142
$849
+26% in Tennessee
Median Home Value
$270,100
$172,000
+36% in Tennessee
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,204
$51,888
+18% in Tennessee
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
61.3°F
47.9°F
+13.4°F in Tennessee
Tennessee vs Wisconsin — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Tennessee or Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $849 runs about 26% below Tennessee's $1,142, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Tennessee than in Wisconsin?
- 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 $34,000 in Wisconsin.
- Which has lower taxes, Tennessee or Wisconsin?
- Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/1 cities we track in Tennessee/Wisconsin — 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.