Georgia vs Tennessee: cost of living
Tennessee is the cheaper state of the two, with an overall price level of 91.8 versus 95.8 for Georgia (BEA Regional Price Parity, US = 100) — so Georgia is about 4.4% more expensive. Georgia's median household income is $74,632 versus $67,631 in Tennessee, and median rent is $1,506 versus $1,284 a month. To keep a $100,000 standard of living moving from Georgia to Tennessee you'd need about $95,825.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP), all items. Data as of June 2026.
Georgia vs Tennessee side by side
| Indicator | Georgia | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US=100) | 95.8 | 91.8 |
| Price vs US average | -4.2% | -8.2% |
| Median household income (ACS 2023) | $74,632 | $67,631 |
| Median gross rent / month | $1,506 | $1,284 |
| Census region | South | South |
Sources: BEA RPP 2022; Census ACS income and rent 2023.
Salary needed to move
Using the price-level ratio (the salary-needed formula on our methodology page), here is the equivalent pay needed to hold the same standard of living when you move between Georgia and Tennessee:
| If you earn this here… | …you'd need this there |
|---|---|
| $60,000 in Georgia | $57,495 in Tennessee |
| $100,000 in Georgia | $95,825 in Tennessee |
| $60,000 in Tennessee | $62,614 in Georgia |
| $100,000 in Tennessee | $104,357 in Georgia |
Verdict
On price level alone, Tennessee stretches a paycheck further than Georgia by roughly 4.4%. But cost of living is only half the picture: Georgia has the higher median household income ($74,632), and neither figure accounts for state income tax, which can swing the real-world gap. Read each state's full page for context — Georgia and Tennessee — and run your exact salary through the calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Georgia or Tennessee cheaper to live in?
Tennessee is the cheaper of the two: its overall price level is 91.8 versus 95.8 for Georgia on the BEA Regional Price Parity scale (US = 100), making Georgia about 4.4% more expensive. This is an estimate of overall prices; verify with the BEA.
What salary in Tennessee matches $100,000 in Georgia?
About $95,825. Because Tennessee's price level (91.8) is lower than Georgia's (95.8), $100,000 of Georgia buying power equals roughly $95,825 in Tennessee. The reverse: $100,000 in Tennessee is worth about $104,357 in Georgia. Estimate based on price level only — it ignores taxes and your job market.
Which state has higher incomes, Georgia or Tennessee?
Georgia has the higher median household income: $74,632 versus $67,631 (US Census Bureau ACS 2023).
More comparisons
Last updated: 2026-06-18