← All States
Alabama
Moderate tax burden · COL index 87
Wins 7 categories
VS
Tennessee
Low tax burden · COL index 92
Wins 8 categories
Tennessee has no state income tax. Alabama's top rate is 5%. The median home in Tennessee costs $350K vs $218K in Alabama.
Taxes
5%
Income Tax (top rate)
None
0.39%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.45%/yr
9.22%
Sales Tax (avg)
9.55%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
As income
Capital Gains Tax
None
Housing & Cost of Living
87
COL Index (100=avg)
92
$218K
Median Home Price
$350K
$1,050/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,400/mo
$2K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$2K/yr
Crime & Safety
547
Violent Crime / 100K
668
2,247
Property Crime / 100K
2,752
Healthcare
#41 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#39 of 50
73.2 yrs
Life Expectancy
74.2 yrs
11.2%
Uninsured Rate
10.4%
No
Medicaid Expansion
No
Education
#44 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#41 of 50
Yes
School Choice / Vouchers
Yes
Childcare
$820/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$1,000/mo
Utilities & Daily Costs
$155/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$130/mo
$410/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$420/mo
#25 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#10 of 50
Social Policy
F
Gun Laws Grade
F
R+28.0
2024 Presidential Margin
R+24.0
Category wins
7
Alabama
8
Tennessee
Run the full slider tool to score these states against your specific income, home value, retirement, and lifestyle priorities.
Score For My Profile →People Also Ask
Is it better to retire in Tennessee or Alabama?
Is the cost of living higher in Tennessee or Alabama?
What are the drawbacks to living in Tennessee?