Texas
90.7
composite · rank #13
- Housing
- 77.7
- Grocery
- 95.9
- Utilities
- 104
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Texas vs Tennessee Cost of Living
Tennessee has the lower cost of living by 1.8 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Tennessee is lower
1.8 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Texas is roughly $98,015 in Tennessee.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Tennessee
88.9
composite · rank #9
- Housing
- 80.3
- Grocery
- 95.8
- Utilities
- 84.5
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Texas | Tennessee | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 95.9 | 95.8 | Tennessee |
| Housing | 77.7 | 80.3 | Texas |
| Utilities | 104 | 84.5 | Tennessee |
| Transportation | 90.9 | 87.2 | Tennessee |
| Health care | 96.8 | 88.7 | Tennessee |
| Misc. goods & services | 95.6 | 95 | Tennessee |
Grocery
Texas95.9
Tennessee95.8
Lower cost: Tennessee
Housing
Texas77.7
Tennessee80.3
Lower cost: Texas
Utilities
Texas104
Tennessee84.5
Lower cost: Tennessee
Transportation
Texas90.9
Tennessee87.2
Lower cost: Tennessee
Health care
Texas96.8
Tennessee88.7
Lower cost: Tennessee
Misc. goods & services
Texas95.6
Tennessee95
Lower cost: Tennessee
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Tennessee | Needed in Texas |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49,008 | $51,012 |
| $75,000 | $73,512 | $76,519 |
| $100,000 | $98,015 | $102,025 |
| $150,000 | $147,023 | $153,037 |
| $250,000 | $245,039 | $255,062 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Tennessee$49,008
In Texas$51,012
$75,000 origin salary
In Tennessee$73,512
In Texas$76,519
$100,000 origin salary
In Tennessee$98,015
In Texas$102,025
$150,000 origin salary
In Tennessee$147,023
In Texas$153,037
Housing gap
Texas housing is 77.7; Tennessee is 80.3.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Texas is roughly $98,015 in Tennessee.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Texas vs Tennessee cost of living FAQs
Tennessee has the lower cost of living by 1.8 index points. The composite indexes are 90.7 in Texas and 88.9 in Tennessee (US average = 100).
About $98,015 in Tennessee would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Texas, based on the composite indexes.
About $102,025 in Texas would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Tennessee.
Housing indexes are 77.7 in Texas and 80.3 in Tennessee. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
Tennessee has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
Related tools
Relocation salary calculatorCity COL + equivalent salaryUS paycheck calculatorFederal, state, and FICA take-homeSalary comparison by stateTake-home ladders by stateSales tax by stateCombined state + average local ratesProperty tax by stateEffective rates and homeowner estimatesHomeownership cost by stateACS owner costs and buyer estimatesTotal tax burden by stateIncome, sales, and property togetherState paycheck tax compareSide-by-side state income tax
Compare another pair
Compare any two states
Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
Related cost of living comparisons
Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.