Is Georgia or Tennessee a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Georgia ranks higher overall. Georgia is #30 and Tennessee is #36 out of 50 states. Georgia wins 4 of 11 categories, while Tennessee wins 7.

How does Georgia compare to Tennessee in cost of living?

Georgia has a cost of living index of 97, while Tennessee's is 93 (100 = national average). Tennessee is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Georgia or Tennessee?

Georgia has 368 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 592 in Tennessee. Georgia has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Georgia vs Tennessee?

Georgia's median household income is $71,355, compared to $64,036 in Tennessee.

Georgia vs Tennessee: Side-by-Side (2026)

C+

Georgia

#30·South

51.3Composite Score

VSGeorgia leads

Tennessee

#36·South

45.3Composite Score

4GA wins

7TN wins

Category Overlay

GeorgiaTennessee

Category Scores

💰 EconomyGA +4.4

47.9

43.5

🛡️ SafetyGA +29.9

57.6

27.7

🏥 HealthGA +18.4

32.7

14.3

🎓 EducationGA +8.2

42.9

34.7

💼 Fiscal HealthTN +6.4

69.7

76.1

📈 GrowthTN +4.3

57.9

62.2

🏠 AffordabilityTN +4.6

74.1

78.7

🌿 EnvironmentTN +4.1

32.1

36.2

🏞️ Outdoor AccessTN +5.7

7.6

13.3

🚇 TransportationTN +0.3

31.4

31.7

🎭 LivabilityTN +21.2

30.1

51.3

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Georgia	Tennessee	Winner
Population	11,029,227	7,126,489	GA
Median Income	$71,355	$64,036	GA
Unemployment	3.5%	3.3%	TN
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	368	592	GA
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	97	93	TN
HS Graduation Rate	84%	91%	TN
Life Expectancy	76.1 yr	75.3 yr	GA
Pop Growth	+1.3%	+1%	GA

Georgia vs Tennessee: How Do They Compare?

Georgia ranks #30 overall with a composite score of 51.3, earning a C+ grade. Tennessee sits at #36 with 45.3 and a C grade. Georgia has the edge overall, winning 4 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Georgia has 3.5% unemployment and a $71,355 median income, while Tennessee reports 3.3% unemployment and $64,036 median income.

For safety, Georgia's violent crime rate is 368 per 100K compared to 592 in Tennessee. Cost of living favors Tennessee with an index of 93 vs 97.

Explore These States

Georgia Full Profile51.3 Tennessee Full Profile45.3 Compare Other States→

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, Migration Data 2021-2022