Tennessee’s quality of life is high, and its cost of living is low.
Based on 2020 annual averages, Tennessee has the 8th lowest cost of living in the nation at 10.3% below the national average.* In other words, on average, housing, food and groceries, transportation, utilities, healthcare and miscellaneous expenses such as clothing, service, and entertainment are less than the national average.
Let’s compare, by the numbers:
COMPOSITE INDEX – 89.7
GROCERY ITEMS – 93.5
HOUSING – 81.2
UTILITIES – 92.1
TRANSPORTATION – 86.9
HEALTHCARE – 90.1
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS AND SERVICES – 95.1
Income Tax
There is no state personal income tax in Tennessee. Beginning with tax year 2012, the annual Hall Income Tax standard income exemptions for taxpayers 65 years of age or older increased from $16,200 to $26,200 for single filers and from $27,000 to $37,000 for joint filers. Legislation states that this tax will be eliminated Jan. 1, 2021.
Pension Tax
Retirees can nurture their nest egg by relocating to a state with no tax on pensions.
Sales Tax
The Tennessee state tax is four percent on food and food ingredients and seven percent on all other tangible personal property, unless specifically exempted. There is no tax on prescription drugs. Tennessee cities and counties have the option of imposing an additional local option sales tax. Visit the Tennessee Department of Revenue to obtain more information about Tennessee taxes.
Local Tax
Local taxes are set by the local government.
Property Tax
Tennessee has no state property tax. Property taxes are locally determined and collected.
*Source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) Cost of Living Index (COLI), 2023 Annual Averages
