Is Tennessee or Texas a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Texas ranks higher overall. Tennessee is #36 and Texas is #35 out of 50 states. Tennessee wins 7 of 11 categories, while Texas wins 4.

How does Tennessee compare to Texas in cost of living?

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

Which state is safer, Tennessee or Texas?

Tennessee has 592 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 401 in Texas. Texas has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Tennessee vs Texas?

Tennessee's median household income is $64,036, compared to $73,035 in Texas.

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

Tennessee

#36·South

45.3Composite Score

VSTexas leads

Texas

#35·South

45.9Composite Score

7TN wins

4TX wins

Category Overlay

TennesseeTexas

Category Scores

💰 EconomyTN +3.9

43.5

39.6

🛡️ SafetyTX +25.5

27.7

53.2

🏥 HealthTX +4.1

14.3

18.4

🎓 EducationTN +2.0

34.7

32.7

💼 Fiscal HealthTN +3.9

76.1

72.2

📈 GrowthTN +1.4

62.2

60.8

🏠 AffordabilityTN +2.9

78.7

75.8

🌿 EnvironmentTX +4.6

36.2

40.8

🏞️ Outdoor AccessTN +8.6

13.3

4.7

🚇 TransportationTX +5.1

31.7

36.8

🎭 LivabilityTN +23.6

51.3

27.7

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Tennessee	Texas	Winner
Population	7,126,489	30,503,301	TX
Median Income	$64,036	$73,035	TX
Unemployment	3.3%	4.2%	TN
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	592	401	TX
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	93	97	TN
HS Graduation Rate	91%	90%	TN
Life Expectancy	75.3 yr	77 yr	TX
Pop Growth	+1%	+1.7%	TX

Tennessee vs Texas: How Do They Compare?

Tennessee ranks #36 overall with a composite score of 45.3, earning a C grade. Texas sits at #35 with 45.9 and a C grade. Texas has the edge overall, winning 4 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Tennessee has 3.3% unemployment and a $64,036 median income, while Texas reports 4.2% unemployment and $73,035 median income.

For safety, Tennessee's violent crime rate is 592 per 100K compared to 401 in Texas. Cost of living favors Tennessee with an index of 93 vs 97.

Explore These States

Tennessee Full Profile45.3 Texas Full Profile45.9 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