Tennessee
Tennessee ranks #36 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 46.3/100 and a C grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (79/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (13/100).
How Does Tennessee Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Tennessee
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | Collierville | A+ | 66.0 | 51,212 | $134,319 | 114.1 | 92.4 |
| 72 | Franklin | A+ | 64.9 | 88,558 | $118,156 | 150.6 | 97.4 |
| 73 | Spring Hill | A+ | 64.9 | 53,585 | $106,658 | 140.9 | — |
| 76 | Brentwood | A+ | 64.8 | 45,272 | $184,720 | 80 | — |
| 251 | Hendersonville | B+ | 58.9 | 62,390 | $91,503 | 112.2 | 97.4 |
| 287 | Lebanon | B+ | 57.9 | 41,951 | $71,320 | 407.8 | 104.6 |
| 300 | Gallatin | B+ | 57.7 | 46,667 | $73,589 | 194.1 | — |
| 323 | Smyrna | B+ | 57.3 | 55,066 | $78,409 | 289.2 | — |
| 384 | Bartlett | B | 55.8 | 56,998 | $100,660 | 245 | 92.4 |
| 459 | Murfreesboro | B | 54.0 | 165,423 | $78,069 | 472.1 | 97.4 |
| 577 | Clarksville | C+ | 51.6 | 180,705 | $67,246 | 474.9 | 92.1 |
| 581 | Columbia | C+ | 51.4 | 43,971 | $61,204 | 561 | 102.7 |
| 684 | Cleveland | C | 48.7 | 48,185 | $55,904 | 446 | 90.9 |
| 690 | Johnson City | C | 48.6 | 73,440 | $55,406 | 400.2 | 88.9 |
| 739 | Nashville | C | 47.2 | 687,787 | $80,217 | 1241.6 | 97.4 |
| 795 | Chattanooga | C | 45.5 | 187,023 | $62,547 | 1059.5 | 92.8 |
| 798 | Kingsport | C | 45.4 | 55,807 | $50,436 | 658.2 | 85.4 |
| 814 | Knoxville | D | 44.8 | 198,175 | $50,183 | 818.1 | 92.8 |
| 924 | Jackson | D | 40.7 | 68,262 | $51,343 | 1108.5 | 87.3 |
| 992 | Memphis | F | 33.6 | 618,655 | $51,399 | 2615.6 | 92.4 |
Best Cities in Tennessee for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Collierville | 66.6 | 63.4 | 89.8 | 69.7 |
| 2 | Franklin | 66.0 | 68.2 | 89.7 | 60.7 |
| 3 | Spring Hill | 65.4 | 61.2 | 92.5 | 61.1 |
| 4 | Hendersonville | 63.2 | 62.4 | 93.1 | 70.8 |
| 5 | Gallatin | 61.7 | 61.6 | 87.2 | 67.9 |
More South States
Tennessee Rankings Overview
Tennessee earns an overall grade of C with a composite score of 46.3 out of 100, ranking #36 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (79/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (13/100).
Economy & Employment in Tennessee
With an unemployment rate of 3.3% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Tennessee performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $64,036, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Tennessee
Tennessee's violent crime rate of 592 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety. This is significantly above the national average of 350 per 100,000.
Health & Education in Tennessee
Tennessee ranks #43 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #33 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Tennessee is 75.3 years, and the high school graduation rate is 91%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Tennessee
Tennessee's total tax burden is 6.38% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. Tennessee has no state income tax. The effective property tax rate is 0.58% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 9.61%.
Housing & Affordability in Tennessee
The median home price in Tennessee is $380,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 93 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
Environment in Tennessee
Tennessee has a median air quality index of 40 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 14% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 25 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Tennessee
Tennessee's population growth rate is +1% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +6.8 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 93.3% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Tennessee
The top-ranked cities in Tennessee based on our composite scoring are Collierville, Franklin, and Spring Hill. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Tennessee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tennessee's overall ranking?
Tennessee ranks #36 out of 50 states with a composite score of 46.3/100 and a grade of C.
Is Tennessee a good place to live?
Tennessee scores 46.3/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in Tennessee?
The violent crime rate in Tennessee is 592 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Tennessee's economy compare?
Tennessee's median household income is $64,036 with an unemployment rate of 3.3%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Tennessee?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Tennessee are Collierville, Franklin, and Spring Hill.
How does Tennessee rank for families?
Tennessee ranks #39 of 50 states for families with a score of 43.3/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Tennessee rank for retirees?
Tennessee ranks #37 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 53.6/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Tennessee rank for remote workers?
Tennessee ranks #18 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 58.8/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.