5IN wins
1tied
5TN wins
Category Overlay
IndianaTennessee
Category Scores
💰 EconomyTN +1.1
IN
42.4
TN
43.5
🛡️ SafetyIN +30.8
IN
58.5
TN
27.7
🏥 HealthIN +6.1
IN
20.4
TN
14.3
🎓 EducationIN +16.3
IN
51.0
TN
34.7
💼 Fiscal HealthTN +10.8
IN
65.3
TN
76.1
📈 GrowthTN +19.5
IN
42.7
TN
62.2
🏠 AffordabilityIN +2.5
IN
81.2
TN
78.7
🌿 EnvironmentIN +2.2
IN
38.4
TN
36.2
🏞️ Outdoor AccessTN +3.5
IN
9.8
TN
13.3
🚇 TransportationTied
IN
31.7
TN
31.7
🎭 LivabilityTN +16.3
IN
35.0
TN
51.3
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Indiana | Tennessee | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,862,199 | 7,126,489 | TN |
| Median Income | $65,870 | $64,036 | IN |
| Unemployment | 3.5% | 3.3% | TN |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 361 | 592 | IN |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 92 | 93 | IN |
| HS Graduation Rate | 87% | 91% | TN |
| Life Expectancy | 76.4 yr | 75.3 yr | IN |
| Pop Growth | +0.6% | +1% | TN |
Indiana vs Tennessee: How Do They Compare?
Indiana ranks #32 overall with a composite score of 49.6, earning a C+ grade. Tennessee sits at #36 with 45.3 and a C grade. Indiana has the edge overall, winning 5 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Indiana has 3.5% unemployment and a $65,870 median income, while Tennessee reports 3.3% unemployment and $64,036 median income.
For safety, Indiana's violent crime rate is 361 per 100K compared to 592 in Tennessee. Cost of living favors Indiana with an index of 92 vs 93.
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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