Hawaii vs Tennessee: taxes, cost of living, laws

Hawaii

Moderate tax burden · COL index 196

Wins 8 categories

Tennessee

Low tax burden · COL index 92

Wins 7 categories

Tennessee has no state income tax. Hawaii's top rate is 11%. Cost of living in Hawaii (index 196) runs 113% higher than Tennessee (index 92). The median home in Hawaii costs $840K vs $350K in Tennessee. Politically, Tennessee voted Republican in 2024 (R+24.0) while Hawaii went Democratic (D+26.0).

Hawaii

Tennessee

Taxes

11%

Income Tax (top rate)

None

0.27%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.45%/yr

4.44%

Sales Tax (avg)

9.55%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

7.25%

Capital Gains Tax

None

Housing & Cost of Living

196

COL Index (100=avg)

$840K

Median Home Price

$350K

$2,500/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,400/mo

$500/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

281

Violent Crime / 100K

668

2,480

Property Crime / 100K

2,752

209

Sex Offenders / 100K

389

805

Homeless / 100K

115

Healthcare

#11 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#39 of 50

80.7 yrs

Life Expectancy

74.2 yrs

4.8%

Uninsured Rate

10.4%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Education

#25 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#41 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$1,850/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$1,000/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$250/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$130/mo

$900/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$420/mo

#45 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#10 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

D+26.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+24.0

Category wins

Hawaii

Tennessee

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