Is New York or Tennessee a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, New York ranks higher overall. New York is #26 and Tennessee is #36 out of 50 states. New York wins 8 of 11 categories, while Tennessee wins 3.

How does New York compare to Tennessee in cost of living?

New York has a cost of living index of 108, while Tennessee's is 93 (100 = national average). Tennessee is more affordable.

Which state is safer, New York or Tennessee?

New York has 364 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 592 in Tennessee. New York has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in New York vs Tennessee?

New York's median household income is $81,386, compared to $64,036 in Tennessee.

New York vs Tennessee: Side-by-Side (2026)

New York

#26·Northeast

56.8Composite Score

VSNew York leads

Tennessee

#36·South

45.3Composite Score

8NY wins

3TN wins

Category Overlay

New YorkTennessee

Category Scores

💰 EconomyNY +0.2

43.7

43.5

🛡️ SafetyNY +30.4

58.1

27.7

🏥 HealthNY +59.2

73.5

14.3

🎓 EducationNY +24.5

59.2

34.7

💼 Fiscal HealthTN +31.6

44.5

76.1

📈 GrowthTN +42.3

19.9

62.2

🏠 AffordabilityTN +43.3

35.4

78.7

🌿 EnvironmentNY +22.2

58.4

36.2

🏞️ Outdoor AccessNY +16.9

30.2

13.3

🚇 TransportationNY +26.6

58.3

31.7

🎭 LivabilityNY +3.8

55.1

51.3

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	New York	Tennessee	Winner
Population	19,571,216	7,126,489	NY
Median Income	$81,386	$64,036	NY
Unemployment	4.5%	3.3%	TN
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	364	592	NY
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	108	93	TN
HS Graduation Rate	85%	91%	TN
Life Expectancy	79.1 yr	75.3 yr	NY
Pop Growth	+0.4%	+1%	TN

New York vs Tennessee: How Do They Compare?

New York ranks #26 overall with a composite score of 56.8, earning a B grade. Tennessee sits at #36 with 45.3 and a C grade. New York has the edge overall, winning 8 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, New York has 4.5% unemployment and a $81,386 median income, while Tennessee reports 3.3% unemployment and $64,036 median income.

For safety, New York's violent crime rate is 364 per 100K compared to 592 in Tennessee. Cost of living favors Tennessee with an index of 93 vs 108.

Explore These States

New York Full Profile56.8 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