Quick answer
Tennessee has lower average 1BR rent ($1,238/mo vs $1,650/mo). State income tax: Tennessee (None) vs Rhode Island (5.99% (top)) — on a $120K salary that's $5,400/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Rhode Island 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
Rhode Island vs Tennessee at a Glance
| Metric | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,650 | $1,238 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $380K | $304K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Providence ($1,650) | Memphis ($980) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Providence ($1,650) | Nashville ($1,520) |
| State income tax | 5.99% (top) | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 75/100 ✓ | 35/100 |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 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
$3,600
/year saved in Tennessee
Salary $120K
$5,400
/year saved in Tennessee
Salary $200K
$9,000
/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
Rhode Island (RI)
Tax reality
State income tax reaches 5.99% (top bracket). Combined with property taxes averaging 1.0–1.2% and homeowner insurance running $1,500+/year (highest in region due to hurricane exposure), total tax burden on $300k income approaches $25k annually.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Property taxes 1.0–1.2% are highest in region outside Massachusetts. A $500k home costs $5,000–6,000 annually.
- ✕Homeowner insurance averages $1,500–2,000/year (hurricane exposure). Flood insurance required in coastal areas adds $1,200–3,000 annually.
- ✕Job market small—limited career mobility without relocating to Boston or New York.
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 Rhode Island or Tennessee cheaper to live in?
Tennessee has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,238/mo vs $1,650/mo in Rhode Island, a $412/mo difference. Home prices: Tennessee median is $304K vs $380K.
Rhode Island vs Tennessee: which has lower state income tax?
Tennessee has lower state income tax (None) vs 5.99% (top) in Rhode Island. On an $80K salary that's $3,600/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $9,000/year.
Should I move from Rhode Island to Tennessee?
State income tax reaches 5.99% (top bracket). Combined with property taxes averaging 1.0–1.2% and homeowner insurance running $1,500+/year (highest in region due to hurricane exposure), total tax burden on $300k income approaches $25k annually.
What are the best cities in Rhode Island vs Tennessee?
Rhode Island's largest metros include Providence. Tennessee's largest metros include Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Rhode Island suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.