Georgia vs Tennessee Paycheck Comparison 2026

Annual salary

$

Annual salary

$
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
Filing status
$
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You take home $3,818/yr more in Tennessee

$318/mo · $147/paycheck more

Georgia
Tennessee

$57,775/yr in Georgia vs $61,593/yr in Tennessee.

Georgia

Take-home per paycheck

$2,222.12

$57,775/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
State tax$3,8185%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$57,77577%
Tax rates
Effective: 23.0%Marginal fed: 22.0%Marginal state: 5.1%

Tennessee

Take-home per paycheck

$2,368.94

$61,593/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$61,59382%
Tax rates
Effective: 17.9%Marginal fed: 22.0%

Cost of living comparison

Cost of living in Georgia is 2% higher than in Tennessee.

At a $75,000 salary, take-home pay of $57,775 in Georgia has the purchasing power of $59,122 in Tennessee terms.

After adjusting for cost of living, Tennessee comes out ahead by $2,471/yr.

Housing
Median home$310,000vs$310,000
Georgia
Tennessee
Avg 2BR rent$1,116/movs$1,154/mo
Georgia
Tennessee
3% more
Groceries
Index
Georgia
1% more
Tennessee
Transportation
Regular gas$3.32/galvs$3.14/gal
Georgia
6% more
Tennessee
Utilities
Electric bill$101/movs$97/mo
Georgia
5% more
Tennessee
Healthcare
Index
Georgia
13% more
Tennessee
Childcare & Misc
Infant childcare$11,863/yrvs$12,249/yr
Georgia
Tennessee
3% more

Estimate based on 2026 tax rates and standard deductions. Does not include local taxes, itemized deductions, tax credits, or other individual circumstances.

Tax system comparison

Georgia: Georgia has a flat state income tax of 5.09%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.

Tennessee: Tennessee has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.

Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)

Salary Georgia take-home Tennessee take-home Difference
$50,000 $39,810 $42,355 -$2,545
$75,000 $57,775 $61,593 -$3,817
$100,000 $74,090 $79,180 -$5,090
$150,000 $106,156 $113,791 -$7,635
$200,000 $138,747 $148,927 -$10,180
$300,000 $199,907 $215,177 -$15,270

Positive values mean higher take-home in Georgia. Assumes single filer, no deductions.

FAQ

Which state has lower taxes, Georgia or Tennessee?

At a $100,000 salary, Tennessee results in $5,090 more annual take-home pay. Georgia has a flat state income tax of 5.09%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate. Tennessee has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.

How much more do you take home in Tennessee vs the other state?

The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $2,545/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $7,635/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $15,270/yr.

Do Georgia and Tennessee have the same federal taxes?

Yes. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are the same in every state. Only state income tax differs. This calculator shows the combined effect of federal and state taxes on your take-home pay.

Is it cheaper to live in Georgia or Tennessee?

Tennessee is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Georgia is 2% higher than in Tennessee. Georgia's Regional Price Parity is 92.5 and Tennessee's is 90.7 (US average = 100).

Is Tennessee cheaper than Georgia?

Yes. Tennessee has a lower cost of living than Georgia (index 90.7 vs 92.5). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.

Is Georgia more expensive than Tennessee?

Yes. Georgia has a higher cost of living (index 92.5) compared to Tennessee (index 90.7). The national average is 100. Housing costs are typically the largest driver of the difference.

After cost of living, which state is actually cheaper?

At a $100,000 salary, take-home pay of $74,090 in Georgia has the purchasing power of $75,560 in Tennessee terms. Conversely, $79,180 in Tennessee equals $77,639 in Georgia terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Tennessee comes out ahead.

Georgia vs Tennessee cost of living — what's the difference?

The overall cost of living is 2% different between Georgia and Tennessee. Living costs are 8% below the national average Living costs are 9% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, Tennessee gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.

Related tools

Georgia Paycheck Estimator · Tennessee Paycheck Estimator · All states