Kentucky vs Tennessee Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
$2,507 /yr more take-home in Tennessee
$209/mo · $96 a paycheck.
Kentucky
Tennessee
$59,085/yr in Kentucky vs $61,593/yr in Tennessee.
Kentucky
Take-home per paycheck
$2,272.50
$59,085/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
Tennessee
Take-home per paycheck
$2,368.94
$61,593/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
What this paycheck affords in Kentucky vs Tennessee
Sized off $4,924/mo take-home in Kentucky and $5,133/mo in Tennessee. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.
Purchasing power
$58,181 is what Kentucky take-home is worth at Tennessee prices
Against $61,593 actually paid in Tennessee, leaving Tennessee $3,412/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.
Rent
$107 /mo more for a two-bedroom in Tennessee
$1,047/mo in Kentucky, $1,154/mo in Tennessee.
The average two-bedroom takes 21% of take-home in Kentucky and 22% in Tennessee — inside the comfortable range in both.
Buying a home
$115,000 more for the median home in Tennessee
$195,000 in Kentucky, $310,000 in Tennessee.
This salary covers the median home in Kentucky; the Tennessee median is 1.1× what it supports. Lenders size a mortgage off gross pay, so the budgets start from $75,000 at a 28% debt-to-income ratio, 6.75% over 30 years, each with its own state property tax rate.
What's left each month
$228 /mo more left over in Tennessee
Kentucky has $1,550/mo spare; Tennessee has $1,778/mo spare.
Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $524/mo in Kentucky and $577/mo in Tennessee.
Monthly cost by expense class
Every class on one scale, so housing's share of the month stays visible. Housing is the measured average two-bedroom; the rest are BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey averages moved by each state's cost-of-living index.
Other costs
| Cost | Kentucky | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.16/gal | $3.14/gal |
| Electricity | $89/mo | $97/mo |
| Infant childcare | $730/mo | $1,021/mo |
Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 15% of take-home in Kentucky and 20% in Tennessee.
Sources: MERIC/C2ER Cost of Living Index (2025), AAA Fuel Gauge Report (2025), EIA State Electricity Profiles (2024), Child Care Aware of America (2024), Zillow Home Value Index (2025), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
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
Kentucky: Kentucky has a flat state income tax of 3.50%. 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 | Kentucky take-home | Tennessee take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,723 | $42,355 | -$1,632 |
| $75,000 | $59,085 | $61,593 | -$2,507 |
| $100,000 | $75,798 | $79,180 | -$3,382 |
| $150,000 | $108,659 | $113,791 | -$5,132 |
| $200,000 | $142,045 | $148,927 | -$6,882 |
| $300,000 | $204,794 | $215,177 | -$10,382 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Kentucky. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Kentucky or Tennessee?
At a $100,000 salary, Tennessee results in $3,382 more annual take-home pay. Kentucky has a flat state income tax of 3.50%. 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 $1,632/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $5,132/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $10,382/yr.
Do Kentucky 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 Kentucky or Tennessee?
Kentucky is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Kentucky is 3% lower than in Tennessee. Kentucky's Regional Price Parity is 88.3 and Tennessee's is 90.7 (US average = 100).
Is Kentucky cheaper than Tennessee?
Yes. Kentucky has a lower cost of living than Tennessee (index 88.3 vs 90.7). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is Tennessee more expensive than Kentucky?
Yes. Tennessee has a higher cost of living (index 90.7) compared to Kentucky (index 88.3). 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 $75,798 in Kentucky has the purchasing power of $73,792 in Tennessee terms. Conversely, $79,180 in Tennessee equals $81,332 in Kentucky terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Tennessee comes out ahead.
Kentucky vs Tennessee cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 2% different between Kentucky and Tennessee. Living costs are 12% 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.
Do I need to file state tax returns in both Kentucky and Tennessee?
Kentucky requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. Tennessee has no state income tax, so residents do not file a state tax return. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there. Each state has its own tax return form — check your state's department of revenue website for the correct form and e-filing options.
Related tools
- Kentucky vs Tennessee Cost of Living — Compare housing, groceries, utilities, and overall expenses
- Kentucky Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- Tennessee Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- How much house can you afford in Kentucky?
- How much house can you afford in Tennessee?
- Kentucky Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Tennessee Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Kentucky Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Tennessee Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise changes your take-home pay
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
Kentucky Paycheck Estimator · Tennessee Paycheck Estimator · All states