Is Tennessee or Virginia a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Virginia ranks higher overall. Tennessee is #36 and Virginia is #9 out of 50 states. Tennessee wins 4 of 11 categories, while Virginia wins 7.

How does Tennessee compare to Virginia in cost of living?

Tennessee has a cost of living index of 93, while Virginia's is 101 (100 = national average). Tennessee is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Tennessee or Virginia?

Tennessee has 592 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 201 in Virginia. Virginia has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Tennessee vs Virginia?

Tennessee's median household income is $64,036, compared to $87,106 in Virginia.

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

Tennessee

#36·South

45.3Composite Score

VSVirginia leads

Virginia

#9·South

74.3Composite Score

4TN wins

7VA wins

Category Overlay

TennesseeVirginia

Category Scores

💰 EconomyVA +28.7

43.5

72.2

🛡️ SafetyVA +52.2

27.7

79.9

🏥 HealthVA +63.3

14.3

77.6

🎓 EducationVA +46.9

34.7

81.6

💼 Fiscal HealthTN +13.3

76.1

62.8

📈 GrowthTN +11.8

62.2

50.4

🏠 AffordabilityTN +21.3

78.7

57.4

🌿 EnvironmentVA +11.8

36.2

48.0

🏞️ Outdoor AccessVA +6.8

13.3

20.1

🚇 TransportationVA +12.4

31.7

44.1

🎭 LivabilityTN +19.9

51.3

31.4

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Tennessee	Virginia	Winner
Population	7,126,489	8,642,274	VA
Median Income	$64,036	$87,106	VA
Unemployment	3.3%	2.9%	VA
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	592	201	VA
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	93	101	TN
HS Graduation Rate	91%	89%	TN
Life Expectancy	75.3 yr	78.4 yr	VA
Pop Growth	+1%	+0.8%	TN

Tennessee vs Virginia: How Do They Compare?

Tennessee ranks #36 overall with a composite score of 45.3, earning a C grade. Virginia sits at #9 with 74.3 and a A grade. Virginia has the edge overall, winning 7 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Tennessee has 3.3% unemployment and a $64,036 median income, while Virginia reports 2.9% unemployment and $87,106 median income.

For safety, Tennessee's violent crime rate is 592 per 100K compared to 201 in Virginia. Cost of living favors Tennessee with an index of 93 vs 101.

Explore These States

Tennessee Full Profile45.3 Virginia Full Profile74.3 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