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Cost of living in Tennessee

Rent, taxes, earnings and more across all 95 Tennessee counties.

Avg. 1-bed rent
$925/mo
Avg. household income
$58,994/yr
Avg. home value
$201,611
Avg. monthly cost
$2,734/mo
Cheapest county
Fentress County
$2,375/mo for a single person
Most expensive county
Williamson County
$3,792/mo for a single person

Last updated May 21, 2026

Taxes in Tennessee

State income, sales and local tax rates.

Tennessee has no state income tax

Residents of Tennessee pay no state income tax on wages, salaries, or investment income. This can save a typical earner $2,000 to $6,000 per year compared to states with income tax.

State sales tax
7.00%
Combined sales tax
9.55%
incl. average local of 2.55%

Use our salary calculator to see your take-home pay in Tennessee

Tax information is for general reference. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation.

Rent in Tennessee

The average one-bedroom rent across Tennessee is $925/mo. Rent varies from $685/mo in Benton County to $1,650/mo in Wilson County.

Cheapest rent

Most expensive rent

Cheapest places to live in Tennessee

Top 10 counties by estimated single-person monthly cost.

Rankings include rent, utilities, groceries, transport, healthcare and taxes. See our methodology.

Most expensive places to live in Tennessee

Top 10 counties by estimated single-person monthly cost.

Highest earning counties in Tennessee

Top 10 by average household income.

All 95 counties in Tennessee

Sorted by population. Type to filter.

Compare any two areas in Tennessee

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

Open comparison tool

Frequently asked questions about Tennessee

Common questions about cost of living, taxes and rent.

What is the cost of living in Tennessee?

The average cost of living in Tennessee is approximately $2,734 per month for a single person. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare and taxes. Costs range from $2,375/mo in Fentress County to $3,792/mo in Williamson County.

What is the average rent in Tennessee?

The average one-bedroom rent in Tennessee is $925 per month, based on HUD Fair Market Rent data across all 95 counties.

What is the average salary in Tennessee?

The average household income in Tennessee is $58,994 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Does Tennessee have state income tax?

No, Tennessee has no state income tax. Residents pay no state tax on wages, salaries or investment income.

What is the sales tax in Tennessee?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Tennessee averages 9.55%. The state rate is 7.00% with an average local addition of 2.55%.

What are the cheapest places to live in Tennessee?

The cheapest counties to live in Tennessee based on overall monthly costs are: 1. Lake County ($2,328/mo), 2. Fentress County ($2,375/mo), 3. Bledsoe County ($2,378/mo), 4. Jackson County ($2,379/mo), 5. Hancock County ($2,408/mo).

What are the most expensive places to live in Tennessee?

The most expensive counties to live in Tennessee based on overall monthly costs are: 1. Williamson County ($3,792/mo), 2. Wilson County ($3,662/mo), 3. Cheatham County ($3,600/mo), 4. Sumner County ($3,596/mo), 5. Robertson County ($3,565/mo).

Use this research

Journalists, researchers and bloggers are welcome to cite and share this analysis. Please include a follow link back to this page when referencing our data. For bespoke analysis, expert comment, or high-resolution graphics, get in touch via our press office.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources.

  • U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year Estimates)
  • HUD Fair Market Rents FY2025
  • Energy Information Administration (EIA)
  • Tax Foundation state and local rates
Methodology All data sources