Quick answer
Tennessee has lower average 1BR rent ($1,238/mo vs $1,550/mo). State income tax: Tennessee (None) vs Georgia (5.49%) — on a $120K salary that's $6,588/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Georgia vs Tennessee
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Georgia vs Tennessee at a Glance
| Metric | Georgia | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,550 | $1,238 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $358K | $304K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Savannah ($1,450) | Memphis ($980) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Atlanta ($1,650) | Nashville ($1,520) |
| State income tax | 5.49% | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 47/100 ✓ | 35/100 |
| Cities tracked | 2 | 4 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Tennessee (None).
Salary $80K
$4,392
/year saved in Tennessee
Salary $120K
$6,588
/year saved in Tennessee
Salary $200K
$10,980
/year saved in Tennessee
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Georgia (GA)
Tax reality
Georgia has a 5.39% flat state income tax (being phased down further). Property tax is low (~0.8% effective). Sales tax is 4% state + local, totaling 7-8% in most metros. No estate tax. Favorable tax environment overall for moderate earners.
Top cities (2 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Traffic is extraordinary. I-285 (the Perimeter) and I-85 into downtown are regularly 60-90 minute crawls during rush hour. Plan your residence and workplace carefully.
- ✕Summer heat is Deep-South-humid. 90°F + 75% humidity from June through early September. Less extreme than Phoenix, more oppressive than Nashville.
- ✕Atlanta sprawl means car dependency everywhere except the few walkable neighborhoods (Midtown, Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Decatur).
Tennessee (TN)
Tax reality
Tennessee has no state income tax on W-2 wages or investment income. Sales tax is 7% state + local, totaling 9.25-9.75% in most metros — one of the highest sales tax rates in the US. No estate tax. Property tax is low (~0.7% effective in Nashville, lower in rural areas).
Top cities (4 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Sales tax 9.25%+ is punishing. Every purchase stings — gas, groceries (yes, groceries are taxed here), and retail.
- ✕Nashville traffic has become very bad as the metro has grown. I-24 and I-65 corridor are regularly backed up; the state has underinvested in transit.
- ✕Summers are humid subtropical — regular 90°F + 75% humidity from June through September, and thunderstorm season can be intense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Georgia or Tennessee cheaper to live in?
Tennessee has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,238/mo vs $1,550/mo in Georgia, a $312/mo difference. Home prices: Tennessee median is $304K vs $358K.
Georgia vs Tennessee: which has lower state income tax?
Tennessee has lower state income tax (None) vs 5.49% in Georgia. On an $80K salary that's $4,392/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $10,980/year.
Should I move from Georgia to Tennessee?
Georgia has a 5.39% flat state income tax (being phased down further). Property tax is low (~0.8% effective). Sales tax is 4% state + local, totaling 7-8% in most metros. No estate tax. Favorable tax environment overall for moderate earners.
What are the best cities in Georgia vs Tennessee?
Georgia's largest metros include Atlanta, Savannah. Tennessee's largest metros include Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Georgia suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.